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POEMS 



POEMS 



BY 

EDWARD OCTAVUS FLAGG, D.D, 



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■ •-! 189 

NEW-YORK 
THOMAS WHITTAKER /J 



2 AND 3 BIBLE HOUSE 



7 

1890 






Copyright, 1890, by 
Thomas Whittaker. 



The DeVinne Press. 



%0 

2DebitatcD» 



CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

A Hypercritical World— From the Afghan — loo 

Air of Siasconset 135 

Beautiful Hudson 134 

Be Lowly, O Christian ! 108 

Calamity 105 

Camp Song (i) 86 

Camp Song (2) 87 

Camp Song (3) 88 

Cast Anchor 136 

Christmas Carol (i) 71 

Christmas Carol (2) 73 

Christmas Meditations . 69 

Clouds 158 

Convention Poem of the Alpha Delta Phi 41 

Dedication of an Album 141 

Easter Carol 156 

Floral Tribute 6^ 

I Look Beyond 131 

Individuality 103 

Life as it is 127 

Life in Death 1 23 

Lines on the Death of Longfellow 95 

Live it Down 159 

My Flowers * 139 

My World Within 157 

Never Despair 149 

New Version of the Scriptures 151 

No North, No South 153 

7 



PAGE. 

On Presenting a Floral Horseshoe to a Bride, 148 
On Seeing a Picture of Laborers at Prayer. . . 146 
On the Death of Nathaniel S. Richardson, D. D. 115 
On the Death of Rev. Stephen H. Tyng, D. D. . . 129 
Parting Hymn for the Van Norman Institute, 143 

Refinement 155 

Renewal of Work on Bartholdi's Statue 98 

St. Hubert's Isle (i) S;^ 

St. Hubert's Isle (2) 85 

Stanley's March 160 

Staten Island , 119 

Take no Thought for the Morrow 121 

The Atheist 144 

The Bear in the Adirondacks 89 

The Bell Buoy 113 

The Breaker 112 

The Empty Stocking 75 

The Evening Gun 138 

The Grave of Joseph Rodman Drake 118 

The Hidden Cross in 

The Magdalen's Prayer 141 

The Prodigal Son 11 

The Silent March 117 

The Tomb of Ulysses S. Grant 109 

The Winds 147 

To A Bereaved Friend 79 

To BE a Protestant 107 

To MY Daughter Bessie 132 

To MY Daughter Sallie 133 

To One Born on Christmas Day 74 

Vain Regrets 116 

Washington 124 

Winter 125 

Work for Love and Duty 64 



THE PRODIGAL SON. 




THE PRODIGAL SON. 




HOME of old enchained the eye 
Of those its charms might see ; 
Parental kindness wove a tie, 
From formal rule set free. 
The wearied, there enticed to rest, 
Could find some spell to soothe the breast. 



In pride the brilliant lily grew, 
Which paled the monarch's sheen. 

When gorgeous clad he met the view 
Of Sheba's noted queen. 

Cool zephyrs fanned where fountains played, 

And sweetest bird-notes filled the glade. 



12 The Prodigal Son, 

III 

No careless wish, at random sent, 

Was ever breathed in vain, 
And cunning skill, with kind intent. 

Stood near to baffle pain. 
'T would seem one scarce could wish for more. 
On earth, than blessed that home of yore. 

IV 

But strange, there dwells in wayward man 

A demon ill at ease, 
Howe'er contrivance lays its plan, 

The changeful whim to please — 
The word of fondness, winning smile. 
Can ne'er from purpose rash beguile. 



An elder son, severe and sage, 

Endued with self-control, 
Sought first to nurse a father's age, 

And never wished to stroll 
From scenes, wherein, his childhood reared, 
The ripening hours had more endeared. 

VI 

Like nestling, beating half-formed-wing. 
Assaying flight in vain, 



The Prodigal Son, 13 

His brother scorned joy's well-known spring, 

Forbidden fruits to gain. 
Impatient, like a mastiff bound. 
He filled the air with doleful sound. 



VII 

To sire indulgent thus he spake, 

In tone unfilial, rude : 
My portion give, and let me break 

From scenes in which long mewed. 
'T is hard to bear restraint unmeet ; 
I wish a stirring world to greet." 

VIII 

This heedless youth, with skill untried, 

Would tempt a stormy wave. 
While those w^ho oft have stemmed the tide 

Dare not such billow brave. 
The early buds too soon will die. 
And fledglings fall that strive to fly. 

TX 

Thus ever man insults that Will, 

Obeyed, revered above : 
Yea, whispered accents mild and still. 

Embalmed in Jesus' love ; 
Distrustful as to daily bread. 
Though hke the sparrow, constant fed. 



14 The Prodiml Son. 



Since every effort proved but vain, 

To reach such truant mind, 
The father, fraught with heartfelt pain 

That love had ceased to bind, 
Though deeply moved his child to save. 
The portion sought, reluctant gave. 

XI 

'T is thus, while leads that Shepherd's crook. 

Which guides to pastures green. 
Those deaf through sin, no longer brook 

A counsel wise, serene. 
Permission tempts a soul awry, 
Its own inventions crude to try. 

XII 

This younger brother sees a life 

Of pleasure, half-revealed, — 
Those pastimes which with death are rife, 

Whose poison lies concealed, — 
A thoughtless boy let loose from school. 
Deriding all restrictive rule. 

XIII 

Endowed with means to suit his ends. 
Inconstant fancy please, 



The Prodigal Son. 15 

His mind perverted, close he bends, 

The shortest route to seize, 
By which to gain the perfumed heights, 
Where sweet Hymettus yields delights. 

XIV 

He would some " far off country " seek, 

Unvexed by precepts sage, 
Where healthful warnings should not preach, 

P>om lips of hoary age. 
He longed to roam in sunny lands, 
'Mid mirth, and song, and sarabands. 

XV 

The sinner's haunts are far away 

From God's serene domain; 
'Mid riot, pomp and roundelay. 

Where madness waits on pain, 
Those Saturnalia, wild and deep, 
In which both law and virtue sleep. 

XVI 

With lavish hand he strewed the wealth. 

His father kind bestowed. 
He lightly ventured name and health, 

While free the goblet flowed. 
The gold, long stored with frugal care, 
Exhaled like mist that melts in air. 



1 6 The Prodigal Son. 



XVII 



With forethought drugged, he tossed the dice, 

To artful rogues a prey : 
In secret, where the gamester's vice 

Abhors the hght of day. 
By guile allowed, he won at first, 
Till deep decoyed, he fared the worst. 

XVIII 

Attired in fashion's raiment new. 

Of costly fabrics made; 
He oft appeared in varied hue, 

With silly dress parade. 
By foppish trappings' tawdry glare, 
He sought to make plebeians stare. 



XIX 

He roamed in halls of marble white. 
Enriched with bronze and gold, 

Where windows flashing mingled light. 
Devices quaint unfold — 

Gay nymphs and satyrs oft descried, 

'Mid columns, bas-rehefs beside. 



XX 

Fair vases pleased, of Egypt's art. 
Surpassing later skill. 



The Prodigal Sou. ly 

And Grecian taste performed its part, 

Some favored niche to fill ; 
The painter spread a wanton charm, 
That gilded vice and augured harm, 

XXI 

The seas were dragged, the woods explored, 

Which dainty food supplied. 
Choice wines, that clusters rich afford. 

Out flowed, a crimson tide. 
Attendants grave, a dusky band, 
Obeyed at once, their lord's command. 

XXII 

In splendid chariot swift he rode. 

By prancing coursers drawn. 
Equipped in latest courtly mode, 

They swept across the lawn — 
Ambitious in his paltry lust, 
To revel 'mid a cloud of dust. 

XXIII 

The syren Pleasure lured him on, 

To vilest haunts of crime. 
Till shame had left its youthful throne,- 

That shield which guards our prime. 
He sacrificed life's sacred hours 
To Vice that haunts voluptuous bowers. 

2 



llie Prodigal Son. 



XXIV 



A dulcet voice entranced his ear, 

Like chiming water's flow. 
He deemed no lurking evil near, 

Presaging future woe. 
As beauty spun her subtle thread, 
Defeated resolution fled. 

XXV 

At game he lost, yet still he played. 

Until his hoard was gone. 
His summer friends their exit made. 

And left him all alone. 
A helpless wreck on fortune's main. 
No beacon rose to cheer again. 

XXVI 

To drown remorse he quaffed the bowl, 
While imps shrieked through the air, 

As reason fled beyond control. 
Uprose a lurid glare ; 

And when deep tolled the midnight bell, 

Before him yawned avenging hell. 

XXVII 

By want distressed, he sought for aid. 
Of those his purse had shared. 



The Prodigal Son. 19 

But quick did summer friends evade 

His suit — nor e'en had cared 
Should he, so kind when they applied, 
Through such ingratitude have died. 

XXVIII 

A mighty famine smote the land, 

Scant fruits the harvest bore. 
'T was so when great Jehovah's hand 

Had Israel scourged of yore ; 
When men despised those terms benign, 
Declared by seer, upheld by sign. 

XXIX 

' A citizen " 't is told he found 

Amid his sorry pHght, 
Who soon to vilest service bound 

This man that scorned the right. 
He sent him to the sty to feed 
The unclean brute of sateless greed. 

XXX 

And could he, stricken thus, still rove. 

Yet longer leave his home ? 
Despised and scorned, neglect that love. 

Whence madly lured to roam ? 
Did Folly tread its thorny way. 
Unblessed by Duty's filial ray ? 



The Prodigal Son. 



XXXI 



So weak are all apart from God, 

Sad wanderers o'er the earth, 
They lightly heed correction's rod. 

Impugn their heavenly birth. 
But harder yet the lot in . store, 
For Crime will scourge them more and more. 

XXXII 

What thoughts within, conflicting burned, 
When pondering o'er his fate, — 

To swineherd's menial labor turned, 
From rich and envied state ! 

Alas, the baneful fruits of sin ! 

Such prize do Pleasure's suitors win. 

XXXIII 

Can Jew descend to this gross task, 
Take charge of loathsome beast. 

Whose flesh no hind would stoop to ask 
For meanest Hebrew feast ? 

Those demon-haunted go-betweens, 

Where dwelt the heathen Gadarenes ! 

XXXIV 

Behold a step beyond. Vice leads 
One duped through self-deceit. 



The Prodigal Sou. 21 

Devouring hunger loudly pleads 

For husks the swine did eat. 
But e'en such boon no hand would give, 
That this poor famished wretch might live. 

XXXV 

No better lot mere Sense bestows, 

On such as woo her joys ; 
From worse to worse the victim goes. 

As Satan's art decoys. 
Those bound to flesh who slight God's will, 
With world husks ne'er can have their fill. 

xxxvi 

Now turn aside from this sad scene. 

With sacred lessons fraught; 
In hope that all God's care may screen, 

From joys by ruin bought ; 
And let the heart its strength renew. 
As brighter prospects meet the view. 

XXX VI I 

'Neath yonder tall and beauteous tree. 

With branches spreading wide. 
Inviting by its shade, to flee 

From heat and traffic's tide, — 
Behold a feeble, outstretched form, — 
A stranded bark in life's rude storm. 



The Prodigal Son. 

XXXVIII 

He wears a garb of coarsest kind, 
His feet are bruised and bare, 

The stifled, sighing, dirge-Uke wind 
Uplifts his silken hair. 

Too soon the marks of age appear, 

For Time could leave few tokens here. 



XXXIX 

His features, formed of classic mold. 
Were once a parent's pride ; — 

Misguided friends their beauty told, 
While worth was laid aside. 

Indulgence, mark the fatal end 

To which thy unsafe guidings tend ! 



XL 

The tearful eyelids oft o'erflow, 
'Mid bursts of poignant grief. 

As though the soul, oppressed with woe, 
Could never find relief. 

A weeping child again we see, 

In him abased beneath yon tree. 

XLI 

Reproaches come from every brute 
Which uncomplaining feeds, — 



The Prodigal Soft. 23 

Content, enforced in language mute, 
With what suppHes our needs ; — 
He learns how all God's creatures thrive, 
Who by His law submissive live. 

XLII 

• Unto himself" he now has come, 

His manhood's nobler self. 
A blessing sober thought has won, 

Transcending fame or pelf. 
The grief he cannot longer bear 
A bliss enfolds, which angels share. 

XLII I 

He muses, how the hireling bands. 

That serve his sire's full board. 
Best food enjoy the yielding lands 

In harvest rich afford ; 
While famished he, with portion fled. 
Could claim no place to rest his head. 

XLIV 

A late repentance melts his heart, 

And bends his stubborn will ; 
Deep yearnings, long repressed, upstart. 

Nor shame nor fear can chill. 
They bid an injured parent seek. 
So just and yet withal so meek. 



24 The Prodigal Son. 

XLV 

" I will," the truant says, " arise. 
And to my father go. 
Will say, 'My sin to heaven cries, 

A sin that brings thee woe. 
Thy servant make me, call not son 
An ingrate who such wrong hath done.' " 

XLVI 

A parent's love no tongue can tell, 

'T is like the ocean deep. 
Which laves the shore with ceaseless swell. 

It cannot pause nor sleep. 
'T is like the changeless stars above. 
That never from their orbits move. 

XLVII 

Fit pattern He, who came to earth. 

From yon supernal home. 
To save the lost of mortal birth. 

That fitful, foolish roam, — 
With ardor chasing bubbles thin. 
Which dance and lure to haunts of sin. 

XLVIII 

And ah, 't is oft the wandering child 
Towards which the parent leans ; 



The Prodigal Son. 25 



Although to darkest deeds beguiled, 

This ne'er affection weans. 
He sees, perchance, a fairer side 
At times to reckless faults allied. 

XLIX 

Thus pause we o'er some statue old, 

Despite its broken grace. 
Disfigured long by envious mold. 

On hand, on foot, on face, — 
Which, yet a power of genius shows, 
No common work can e'er disclose. 



And so to Israel's bard of yore. 

Though stained with dreadful crime, 

Jehovah tender feeling bore 
For David's love sublime. 

His judgment Mercy soon effaced. 

As this bright gem beneath he traced. 

LI 

Thus lenient he, in saddest mood, 
Whose son, long since away, 

His father's counsel, sage, withstood, 
In distant lands to stray. 

A void remained both dark and chill, 

His brother strove in vain to fill. 



26 The Prodigal So?i, 



LII 

The gently sighing wind is fraught 

With eastern odors rare, 
While many a gift is kindly brought 

To banish dull despair. 
The father's spirit cannot rise ; 
A cloud obscures the radiant skies ! 

LIII 

But now the son, with heart elate, 

His tears replaced by smiles. 
Sets forth for home, with quickened gait, 

Surmounting weary miles. 
As storm-tossed birds to covert fly. 
This hapless youth did thither hie. 

LIV 

Thus hasten those by conscience pressed, 
Who grace once lost would win; 

To seek again the slighted rest. 
And life anew begin. 

They eager tread the narrow way, 

Through many a gloomy, lengthened day. 

LV 

'Mid drear and rock-ribbed wastes he toiled, 
And frightening dangers braved. 



The Prodigal Son. 27 

His scanty garb was torn and soiled, 

While food he vainly craved. 
His feeble hmbs, his meager form, 
Could scarce withstand the driving storm. 

LVI 

At each advance his nerve had failed. 

His strength had given o'er. 
For fortune's blasts had oft assailed. 

And ills remained in store. 
Yet Fancy sketched dear scenes beyond — 
His soul could never quite despond. 

LVII 

His only bed the dismal ground. 

His roof the vault above ; 
His hardships so extreme he found, 

'Gainst desperate thoughts he strove. 
But soon the light of opening day, 
Restored fond trust with blessed ray. 

LVIII 

The via dolorosa One, 

With bleeding footstep trod, — 
And he must choose that path alone. 

That seeks again his God ; 
If recreant e'er in noblest strife. 
Which gains the font of endless life. 



28 21ie Prodigal Son. 



LIX 

At last his native haunts are seen, 

As they were wont to charm; 
Each well-known spot in memory green, 

Aloof from worldly harm. 
Kind welcomes float from bird and rill. 
With echoed strains 'mid glade and hill. 

LX 

Oh, most refreshing, blissful sight. 

In all this world of ours — 
A gleam of once famihar light, 

From early cherished bowers ; 
When years have passed since youth essayed 
To leave the home where childhood played. 

LXI 

And nought dehghts the vision more, — 

When long from fostering care 
Of Christian nurture, heavenly lore. 

In sin's remorseless snare, — 
Than light from that unshadowed cHme, 
Where seraph voices greetings chime. 

LXI I 

And now, as mourning ewe perceives 
The lost returned from far. 



The Prodigal Son. 29 

While dingle, brake and shadowing leaves 

Her sense can ne'er debar, — 
Through features changed, and plight forlorn, 
The father knows his younger born. 

LXIII 

And as fond ewe, without delay, 

Leaps forth her lamb to meet, 
No longer will that father stay. 

But hastes his son to greet. 
He clasps and kisses once again. 
The child who caused him anxious pain. 

LXIV 

Our condescending Parent kind. 

That light of every home. 
The contrite soul will always find, 

Howe'er it choose to roam. 
A pardoning kiss, a sweet embrace. 
Will yet the chiding past efface. 

LXV 

The wanderer speaks, he pleads, " Forgive, 

Dear father, him who kneels, 
A culprit base, unfit to live, 

And who just vengeance feels. 
Thy servant make me, call not son, 
A disobedient, faithless one." 



30 The Prodigal Son. 



LXVI 

Observe how he o'erlooks the past, 

This soul oppressed reheves, 
What guerdon binds repentance fast, 

How dear its blest reprieves ! 
No menial office will be given. 
To one reclaimed from earth to heaven. 

LXVII 

He shall not wear those rags debased, 

A purple robe is brought, 
A ring is on his finger placed, 

Of finest gold, well wrought. 
His unprotected feet in shoes 
No thorns can pierce, no stones will bruise. 

LXVIII 

The slave to freeman's state advanced, 

A robe and ring could claim. 
Fit symbols these of Kves enhanced 

From servile walks of shame ; 
When man by sin no longer bound. 
Through faith released, in Christ is found. 

LXIX 

The fatted calf must leave his stall. 
To bleed for this event. 



The Prodigal Son. 31 

To boon companions one and all, 

A summons far is sent. 
The dead now lives, the lost is found, 
Oh, spread the glorious tidings round." 

LXX 

The happy parent cannot keep 

Within his surcharged breast, 
A pleasure fraught with import deep, 

The homestead once more blest, — 
But wide proclaims, his truant one 
Is now again an honored son. 

LXXI 

As bidden guests are glad below 

Through God's mysterious ways, 
Most thrilling notes responsive flow 

Where rise celestial lays ; 
Since e'en when one repentant sues, 
Rejoicing angels bear the news. 

LXXI I 

The tabret sends a merry sound. 

The harp, the viol too. 
The gleesome strains afar rebound, 

Where smiles each sylvan view; 
The long deserted chambers ring. 
As friends elated dance and sing. 



32 The Prodigal Son. 

LXXIII 

And where dwells he of cynic mold, 
Who chides such harmless mirth ? 

Does festal warmth a serpent cold 
In envy wake from earth ? 

No feast without its specter grim, 

To dash the bowl e'er reached the brim. 

LXXIV 

As night steals on, the elder bom 
Pursues his homeward way. 

While mingling sounds not heard at morn, 
His eager footsteps stay. 

He asks why orgies loud intrude, 

To mock the evening solitude. 

LXXV 

Surprised he learns, quite safe and sound 

That brother long away. 
Within his father's home now found. 

Awakens scenes so gay ; — 
The dance, the song, the shouts of glee, 
From neighbors glad his face to see. 

LXXVI 

As flashes, 'thwart the cloudy sky. 
Precede a storm's descent. 



The Prodigal Son. 33 

So gathering gleams within his eye 

Show anger's fierce intent. 
He, unfraternal, will not come 
To share his brother's joy at home. 

LXXVII 

But, hke our Lord, persistent, kind 

To those that mocked his name. 
Who turned so oft the wayward mind 

From stubborn, vengeful frame. 
With mild entreaties seeks his sire. 
To curb this restless, chafing ire. 

LXXVIII 

" For many, years," declares the son, 
" Thee faithful I have served. 
Of thy commandments broken none, 

From duty never swerved. 
Yet e'en a kid has not been slain. 
In proof that I thy rule sustain. 

LXXIX 

" But when, by many a harlot vile. 
Thy gains have been devoured, 
Upon a spendthrift thou dost smile, 
And greetings fond are show^ered. 
Though naught is done in my behalf. 
For him is killed the fatted calf" 
3 



34 The Prodigal Son. 

LXXX 

The sire would such harsh thoughts allay, 

And motives just outline : 
" Son, near me thou dost ever stay, 

And all I have is thine. 
But now o'erjoyed we feast within, 
Because a soul is saved from sin." 

LXXXI 

'T would seem the elder's sharp complaint 
Was urged by sense of right, 

But different when the facts we paint 
Reflecting gospel light. 

Broad truth disdains that narrow cell. 

Wherein vain mortal judgments dwell. 

LXXXII 

The first-born brother, — stern and cold. 

Emotion kept at bay. 
Imagined (cast in moral mold) 

His logic sure must sway. 
Where one, to passion's spur a slave. 
Had dared a parent's will to brave. 

LXXXIII 

He never felt the power of love 
To render service meet; 



The Prodigal Son. 35 

That found, the simplest act will move 

At gentle Mercy's feet. 
Affection's aid he could not blend 
With those their broken lives would mend. 



LXXXIV 

The Scribe, and Pharisee of old, 

Claimed pardon as a debt. 
Their acts of merit loud were told, 

'Gainst each transgression set. 
So sought the formal son to place 
The law above God's boundless grace. 

LXXXV 

The father, like the gospel's Lord, 
While pleased with service strict. 

To love would pardon swift accord, 
Though justice might conflict. 

We thus discern free grace is shown. 

That comes from God's eternal throne. 

LXXXVI 

Our story treats of ways divine. 

For all o'ercome with sin, 
It doth a tender wish enshrine. 

The soul misled to win. 
May matchless solace touch the deeps. 
Where unconsoled repentance weeps. 



36 The Prodigal Son. 

LXXXVII 

Lone child of frailty, long hath strayed 
In crime's unhallowed path ? 

By habit chained, art sore dismayed 
At black impending wrath ? 

Art crushed to earth, despised, forlorn, 

No heart to rise 'mid social scorn ? 



LXXXVII I 

Dost weep for sin's reproachful dye. 

For highest trust misused ? 
Doth waked contrition heave a sigh. 

For choicest friend abused ? 
Wouldst yet repair that shattered life. 
So oft depressed with thickening strife ? 

LXXXIX 

Then think of him in woful form, 

Who left pollution's mire. 
He saw a bow above the storm, 

A patience naught could tire. 
Repentance won a robe and ring. 
Made happy neighbors dance and sing. 

xc 

Quick yield thy swineherd's wretched lot. 
And fly to sheltering home. 



The Prodigal Son. 37 

Where absent ones are ne'er forgot 

By Him who bids us come. 
A ring of freedom waits thee there, 
A spotless robe thou too canst wear. 

xci 

The merry heart of Christian thine, 

Beneath an ample roof, 
No need of feast, of song, of wine. 

To aid Redemption's proof, — 
But o'er thy brow a halo bright, 
Will tell of changeless, pure delight. 

XCII 

Pray, never suffer evil eye, 

A brother's faults to view, 
When purest saints, with thoughts on high, 

Indulgence humbly sue. 
Without the Christ- atoning hand. 
The test of justice none can stand. 

XCIII 

Thus He who treasured Mary's tears. 

Did Peter frail forgive. 
Will quiet all tumultuous fears. 

Will cause the soul to live, — 
Where faith and charity combined. 
Rich fruits of hope shall ever find. 



;^S The Prodigal Son. 

xciv 

And ah, corroding envy shun, 
When others win the race. 

If they with footstep fleet outrun, 
'T were wise to mend the pace. 

Unfair to grudge the better meed, 

That well befits the better deed. 



xcv 

And view not with contracted look, 
This life — the Church — the State, 

Each seeming difference mildly brook 
On God content to wait ; 

Convinced that He in future years 

Will make more plain what dark appears. 

xcvi 

And ye who would improve mankind, 

Would point the better way. 
Recall that father's constant mind, 

Unwearied by delay. 
Let Love's inspiring flame still bum, 
Although a son should not return ! 



ALPHA DELTA PHI POEMS. 




ALPHA DELTA PHI POEM 



DELIVERED AT THE FIFTY-SECOND CONVENTION, 
MIDDLETOWN, CONN., MAY 28, 1 884. 




IAIR city, which compos'd and queen-Hke sits 

With vassal streamlet at thy side, 
I Thy lovely picturesqueness well befits 
These spirits choice, an academic tide — 
Who lustrous by the gems of ancient thought, 
To trace the beautiful have best been taught. 



With love of learning and with open heart 

Thy residents extend good cheer 
To those for whom its living fountains start, 

Who deem its rich rewards of mind more dear 
Than ingots, which with pain are brought from far 
Or trophies crimson'd with the gore of war. 



42 Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 

Ill 

Much pleas'd, thy sons and daughters do we greet 

For all invoking halcyon days ; 
May life's embittered cup be rendered sweet — 

Its gloom dispell'd by heavenly rays. 
If corn and wine in other lands should fail, 
May thy rich valleys ne'er such loss bewail. 

IV 

And as the muse, which hves beyond the age 
And smiles upon the time to come, — 

May growing worth thy lengthen'd years engage 
And ratify thy nursing home 

Of intellect, of prowess and of love, 

Which from high truth immortal ne'er shall move. 



A tender int'rest in our greeting wakes, 

As turn we to yon classic shrine, 
Enlight'ning those for whose especial sakes 

These friends congenial now entwine, 
And who of fellow-feeling touched the spring 
Which from their daily cares old comrades bring. 



VI 

John Wesley, name to every Christian dear. 
Such monument was reared to thee — 



Alpha Delia Phi Poems. 43 

Whom, if in world of light we may appear, 

Be sure we there with palm shall see 
Well known among the beatific throng 
That 'round the throne pour forth the seraph song. 

VII 

If undeserving, yet with pen aglow 

I speak for loftier name than all ; 
'T were well conceived that Wesleyan bestow 

On Trinity within her call, 
The meed of clothing in poetic strains 
Those deathless sentiments the soul contains. 

VIII 

Dear sister, on the wing of cherished love 
Accept our treasured memory kind ; 

We trust our hearts from thee will never rove 
Where leagues but few affections bind. 

May health be theirs who mental tendrils train. 

Thy chapter worthy ne'er receive a stain. 

IX 

And well it were we pass not coldly by 
The name of Berkeley, prized so well, 

And one long known to friendship's hallowed tie 
Whose precepts cannot fail to tell 

When long forgotten is this favored day. 

And o'er our sod the sighing breezes play. 



44 Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 

X 

Ye brethren of the Alpha Delta near 

Whom other institutions claim — 
With unfeigned greetings we your hearts would cheer 

Whate'er may be your chme or name ; 
Accept a salutation fraught with power, 
Whose bloom defies the bustling, fleeting hour. 

XI 

The motive which cements our cordial will 
Uprose from no mean, sordid bond — 

Briarean are the welcomes we distil 
From choicest reminiscence fond ; 

Our Banian tree has planted wide and deep 

From germs which were not born in cloistered sleep. 

XII 

We trust that all your cares are left behind. 
Beguiled by sweet communion's joy ; 

That bhssful wakenings here you chance to find. 
Sad retrospect may not destroy ; 

And when enshrined within the heart of home 

These scenes may Hnger, gladdening years to come. 



XIII 

But greeting o'er — to choose some fitting theme — 
A tribute meet where earnestness we find — 



Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 45 

An undisputed duty plain must seem 

Where thought is not to duty blind. 
To tendencies material which appear, 
In terms concise we would invite your ear. 



Who dare assert our land is chained to sense, 

To mammon- worship and to vain expense — 

In what the wise esteem but toys, 

Proud reason, deep-immersed in vapid joys — 

That Darwin-like the masses seem to think 

The chattering ape must be the missing link ; 

Or, Epicurus-like, the eternal soul 

Base flesh did make and also doth control ? 

Sure lofty spires invite to realms above. 

And pastors speak the words of heavenly love — 

If ofttimes fearing it were not so well 

To shock good taste with that proscribed word — spell. 

Religion, perfumed, rises on the air. 

While notes of sweet persuasion are not rare. 

Then Education sheds her healthful smile, 

With well-schooled measures seeking to beguile 

From low, ensnaring and ill-timed pursuits, 

Reducing to a level with the brutes. 

Contrivances appear in every guise. 

To lift the earth-bound to supernal skies. 

To tear asunder from the mental gaze 

Obstructions which conceal the truth's clear rays ; 



46 Alpha Delta Phi Foems. 

Yet still the carnal mind seeks carnal things, 
Despite each plan which moral effort brings. 
E'en as the cat which once was made a queen, 
A mouse appearing still a cat did seem, 
So those belonging to a sin-soiled race 
For old enticements disavow their grace ; 
Professors grave and mitres, chair of state, 
Become the same as at a prior date 
Before transforming honor raised the wand, 
Enabling to assume the higher stand. 
An earthen vessel time at length reveals, 
Although a precious treasure it conceals. 



A moment let us glance the eye around 

And trace such taint as in the Church is found. 

The Church of Christ a spirit truth invests 

As pure as snow-flake which on mountain rests ; 

A Bride of Spouse Divine she is proclaimed. 

Of Him who in high heaven Chief is named ; 

Compared she is to that chaste silvery light 

Whose effluence pure relieves the raven night ; 

She is to soar without polluting spot 

In all the record of her endless lot. 

But as 'mid Eden crept the wily foe — 

Fair innocence ensnared with cunning low — 

So coils and venomed slime are found within 

That garden of redeemed ones, cleansed from sin. 



Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 47 

Beyond the teachings of a simple creed 

Corrosive fashion and vain rite proceed, 

'Till Babylonian is the scarlet hue 

That grieves the sober and reflecting view — 

Or else, compounding with the natural man, 

The Faith relaxes from her ancient plan. 

And doctrine full of conservating power 

Obeys the skeptic triumph of the hour. 

The preacher's strength is on the human side ; 

Consulting taste, he must the Word divide ; 

Of vice in general he may speak at will ; 

Of vice particular, 't were best be still. 

Else to his grief, and also his dismay. 

He finds that he has preached himself away. 

Religious entertainment men require, 

And not for truth's sake they their clergy hire. 



Ill 

Then when we view Society, that state 
Presumed upon religion to await, 
Ordained for healthful purposes alone — 
Supposed most rational in respective zone — 
Much this is marred by horrid brazen crime. 
More base than in the untaught early time 
(Allowance made for heading of the press 
That suits a morbid public — in the dress), 
The mischief-loving sisters of Macbeth 
May caldron stir, 'mid ceaseless dance of death, 



48 Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 

Combining in their broth, some heads of banks, 

With disunited couples from all ranks. 

Alluding to a goodly, well-known state, 

Where marriage banns did much on courts await, 

A bishop once a distich did invent ; 

As memory serves, 't was somewhat thus it went : 

" I say ' connect ' — excuse the way 't is put — 

When soon the well-feed lawyer says ' I cut.' " 

Of yore, a chief position it is said 

Was yielded to the heart and to the head. 

But often now the heels usurp the place 

Of intellect, the glory of the race. 

To speak the German no one need assay ; 

To dance it, were the accepted better way. 



IV 

Grotesque the exhibitions that we see — • 
A comedy without th' admission fee. 
Let 's take a peep at Folly's magic glass 
And choose from modish figures as they pass. 
Pray what is this that trips along the pave. 
With arms akimbo and with visage grave, 
O'erwrought in keeping one glass at the eye. 
Resistive well-bleached collar rising high ; 
With curtailed overcoat and long-tailed frock. 
And pantaloons so tense that children mock ; 
And bell-crowned beaver of such ample size 
That vapory thoughts find space in which to rise ; 



Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 49 

With horizontal cane at midway held 
As though each saucy poodle would be quelled — 
That rashly questioned with a rival gaze, 
This sample setting female hearts ablaze ? 
And what is this with wriggling, mincing pace, 
Its hair descending o'er the nobler face, 
With bonnet poised above the giddy head 
As though of brains it had a dainty dread ; 
With struggling limbs in fettering silks encased. 
With flying hands and lung-destroying waist. 
Which seems a grasshopper of larger growth — 
While to enlarge the mind alone seems loath ? 
Fantastic the conceit that thus would shine 
ObHvious of an origin divine ; 
Why, pray, the painted savage more despise. 
When so-called Christians don such queer disguise ? 
Of yore a pluck'd fowl Plato styled a man ; 
Perhaps such model serves a present plan. 
Methinks less graceful is this hampered gait 
Than that suggested by the unfeathered state. 
Oh, when will Nature's face in charms appear 
Of paint and dye relieved, and uncouth gear ? 



Note next the conversation of the day ; — 
How much in its behalf have we to say ? 
It gravitates upon the upper air 
With which its thinnest gases may compare ; 



50 Alpha Delta Phi Foe?ns. 

Not sparkling like the fluid in the glass, 
Or glistening dew-drop crowning blade of grass, 
With wit which, if not the highest, serves to cheer 
And drive from grief's abode the rising tear; — 
But seems it as to trees, mere oozing gum. 
Or hke on buoyant waters floating scum ; 
Unseasoned by the salt of healthful lore. 
The man of thoughtfulness is styled a bore ; 
Instead of themes that lift the groveling mind, 
• The senseless and the child-like do we find ; — 
Or should the topic rise to serious grade. 
It dwells on stocks, on market movements, trade, 
Or last sensation in the journal read, 
On those but lately married, or the dead. 
Full many knit the brow in eflbrt vain 
To find out if to-morrow it will rain ; 
Or if 't is very hot or very cold — 
Whate'er the weather — you will oft be told. — 
But next — can conversation be enhanced 
With thoughts so worthless in our books advanced ? 
Oft gravity is shocked with flimsy speech 
Because of much that 's pubHshed in our reach. 



Books to us are faithful blessings 
O'er the chequered path of life; 

Soothing, full of kind caressings 
Are they 'mid this toilsome strife. 



Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 51 

II 

Yet are they as great an evil 
When perverted from their end ; 

Children are they of the devil, 
If foul error they defend. 

Ill 

Mental muscle fast increaseth 

When with noble thoughts that teem ; 

Mental muscle fast decreaseth 
If unreal as a dream. 

IV 

Trifling fiction much supplanteth 

Fact, exalting, hving, pure; 
And the facile author granteth 

What more purchases secure. 

V 

Books that read themselves are vended, 
Which the sluggard mind enjoys; 

And if crumbs of good be blended. 
Sweet and vapid treacle cloys. 

VI 

Bacon, Locke and Aristotle, 

Gibbon, Hume and Rollin, too. 
Upstart authors quickly throttle — 

An ignoble Waterloo. 



52 Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 

VII 

Light confections fail to nourish 

When the system strong meat craves ; 

So our minds cannot thus flourish, 
Sinking to dyspeptic graves. 

VIII 

And like books, so Art doth pander 
To a morbid, vicious need ; 

From its higher walks doth wander, 
Unenlighten'd tastes to feed. 

IX 

Classic schools are oft derided 
By the painters of the day ; 

Sordidly, it is decided. 

Classic schools will never pay. 



Glittering and fantastic pictures 
Much the connoisseur offend — 

Whereon artists place no strictures, 
Since the trade it doth befriend. 

XI 

Music and the art dramatic 
Bend low to the vulgar will. 

While the critic — when emphatic — 
Doth with rage impostors fill. 



Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 53 

XII 

Poesy of noble mission, 

Sent from grossness vile to save, 

Tell me, pray, what thy condition 
While sweejDS on this vandal wave ? 

XIII 

Dost thou lift unsullied beauty 

Spite such devastation fell; 
Hast forgot thy sacred duty — 

Errors' darkness to dispel ? 

XIV 

Shade of Shakespeare make thee stronger 
'Mid the slough of deep despond ; 

If thou struggle ages longer — 
Give to him thy fealty fond. 

XV 

Lo, the muse, with dastard yielding, 
Stoops unworthy crown to wear ; 

Ne'er relenting, judgment shielding, 
Seeking soon such wreath to tear. 

XVI 

For the sake of favor winning, 

And the populace to please, 
Oft we find the poet sinning 

On the side of pelf and ease. 



54 Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 

XVII 

Rhetoric takes the place of thinking, 
Luring with convenient haze ; 

Form, advanced with foppish prinking, 
Doth bewildered readers daze. 

XVIII 

Much the crowd affect to like it, 
Captured by a verbose show ; 

From the page would good sense strike it 
For one thought in lucid flow. 

XIX 

Note yon orb with frenzy roUing, 
While ascends poetic mist ; — 
'Mid vagarious numbers strolling, 
Vainly seek you for the gist. 

XX 

Milton vanish in confusion, 

Coleridge, Wordsworth, Pope and Burns 
Bleeding from severe contusion. 

Rest — neglected in your urns. 

XXI 

Turn we now from art and letters 
To the needful — judged by most ; 

Leaving verdict for our betters — 
To the criticising host. 



Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 55 

XXII 

Wealth our Father kindly gave us, 

In a soil of rare resource ; 
Much His aid we need to save us 

From a soul-consuming course. 

XXIII 

This a shining bubble dances, 
While the wise and foolish chase ; 

This the zest of life enhances. 
Spurs the slow, unwilling pace : 

XXIV 

Argonautic expeditions 

For the golden fleece equipped, 
Rousing men in all positions, 

Eager rush they to be shipped. 

XXV 

Much of good the gold hath done us ; 

Tears uprising doth it stay ; 
But, alas, it oft hath won us 

To forsake the better way. 

XXVI 

While the noblest are empowered 
With this tempting misused trust 

Many fraught with virtue cowered, 
Soon are conquered by its lust. 



56 Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 

XXVII 

Oft it causes petrifaction 

Where a Christian love should guide; 
Oft foments a wild distraction, 

Whence unnumber'd ills betide. 

XXVIII 

Social barriers are erected, 
Shutting out the worthy poor, 

Where, if merit were detected. 
Wide would ope the bolted door. 

XXIX 

See entire nations bowing. 

Dancing round the golden calf. 

With their best the god endowing, 
While complacent demons laugh. 

XXX 

Maidens bright, refined and comely, 
In appeasement have been sold 

To the witless, cross-grained, homely. 
With deep pockets full of gold. 

XXXI 

Grammar tortured, port ungainly. 
Do not lessen flattery's guile. 

While good speech and bearing, vainly. 
Seek to win approving smile. 



Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 57 



XXXII 



Little wonder — lured by money, 
Men will suffer, toil and cheat; 

E'en as flies transfixed by honey 
They are held by this deceit. 



As the sun golden 

Rises at morning, 

Nature adorning, 
Sending his hfe-giving beam o'er the sea. 

Bringing forth flowers. 

Fragrant in bowers, 
Grain in response whitening, covering the lea, 
Sowing in harvestmen hopeful delight ; — 

So with full measure 

Those tried with treasure 

Freely should give. 

Causing to live — 

Cheering with slumbers kind. 

Dark brooding night. 



Oh, how we grovel 
In palace and hovel. 
Steeping the senses 
In creature expenses ; 
'Mid dainties novel. 



58 Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 

Reaping such fruits 

As gluttonous brutes ; 
Eating the acorn, nor looking above, 
Nurturing branches, feeding in love. 

Ill 

From dust we spring, 

Of dust we sing, 

To dust we cling, 
Shrouding the beam of the undying soul ; 

Daily it pineth, 

Droopeth, declineth, 
O'er whelmed by surgings that piteously roll. 

IV 

An age material. 
Worldly, imperial. 
Scouts as ethereal 

Chivalry's aims; 
Eminent knowledge 
Fetters the college 
Life genial dashing. 
As though 't were clashing 

With serious claims; 
The secret society. 
With badge of variety. 
Reaching satiety, 
Yields to propriety, 



Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 59 

Clouding the festal ray 
'Neath learning's dome ; 
The sweets of communion, 
The service of union, 
Must vanish away 

Through edicts to come. 



Again — we are so practical, 
Exact and mathematical. 
In business so fanatical, 

That forsooth 
Some even would ignore 
Or limit classic lore, 
As bearing faint relation 

To the truth. 
They would leave Olympic heights, 
And extinguish ancient Hghts, 
As but rubbish little suited 

To the need 
Of a rising generation 
Which must form the future nation 
That should not any 

Lofty craving feed. 
Thus the noblest thoughts that spring, 
Which with inspiration ring 
Uneffaced upon the brightest 

Page of time, 



6o Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 

Are crippled by the fashions, 
Nay, verdict of the passions, 
And whatever is opposed to 
The subhme. 

VI 

Now, brethren, 't is your duty, 

Convened through social tie. 
To strive lest low ambition 

Our heritage belie ; 
To yield to the material, 

Its fair, its proper place, 
Resisting foul corruption — 

Its headlong, fatal pace ; 
To urge that coin be valued 

Alone for what 't is worth. 
The same as occupation. 

Environment of birth ; 
Not made a god to worship — 

The lord of heaven and earth ; 
To banish all imposture 

Where'er its trail be found, 
While treading with due caution 

Near consecrated ground ; 
To kindle love of country 

At shrine of love to man ; 
So pure in its devotion 

That angels e'en may scan ; 



Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 6i 

To strive that chiefs like Pericles 

Be found to rule the State ; 
Or like the censor Cato, 

Aurelius, mild and great; 
Or like the good King Alfred 

Who raised the Saxon race ; 
Or Washington, the peerless, 

Controlled by Christian grace; 
To seek lest king-ruled strangers 

Who cast with us their lot — 
Expose to foreign dangers 

Our Freedom's resting spot ; 
From brutal degradation 

To lift each sense-bound soul ; 
To aim, through education. 

The passions to control. 
As in rude germ secreted, 

A plant may spring on high. 
Unfolding leaves of beauty 

To greet the summer sky. 
So most perverted manhood 

Conceals a plant divine, 
Which with celesrial glory 

Eternally may shine ; 
As Buonarotri's chisel 

An angel brought from stone. 
So ye, to stainless being 

May lift the fallen one. 



62 Alpha Delta Phi Foej?is. 

VII 

As lifeboats in the storm 

Are launched upon the main 
To cheer the sinking form 

With radiant hope again, 
So men of Christian thought, 

While mammon's billows roll, 
Your mission 't is to save 

From hapless doom the soul. 
As o'er the treacherous deep 

The pilot keeps his eye, 
Observe life's tempest track, 

Its ever-changing sky. 
With wistful, tender care 

The pole-star guides at night ; 
So 'mid each doubt and fear 

Shines Bethlehem's watchful light. 
Then seize the coming day, 

Its portents vast behold ; 
Whate'er the cost may prove, 

For God, for Right, — be bold. 



Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 63 

FLORAL TRIBUTE TO A A ^. 



I SOUGHT the fragrant heliotrope, 
A gift, dear Alpha, loved, to thee ; 
For when the 3un awakens hope 

His joyous beam she turns to see ; 
From him enticement ne'er allures. 

Unmoved by Art's or Nature's sway, 
Her patient constancy endures 

When dismal shades conceal the day. 

II 

Our pride, our joy; thy spell we own 

Whate'er the charm that spreads its wiles, 
'Mid every scene in every zone. 

From fond allegiance nought beguiles ; 
A sun thou art to lead us on 

With memories bright of genial mirth. 
To bid unseemly care begone. 

And lend a glow to saddened earth. 

Ill 

Oh, modest make us like the hue 

Which decks the plain, unboastful flower ; 

For fragrant worth we also sue, 
A presence felt, a helpful power. 



64 Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 

We trust, when leaves are scattered far, 
And stems lie low before the wind, 

The crescent proud, the radiant star 
As loyal hearts again shall find. 



WORK FOR LOVE AND DUTY. 



WORK for love and duty. 
On thyself rely. 
Crown with truth and beauty 

Alpha Delta Phi. 
E'en the brightest morning 

Sheds a flickering ray. 

Roseate hours adorning. 

Pluck the fleeting day. 

Refrain. 
Work for love and duty. 

On thyself rely, 
Crown with truth and beauty 

Alpha Delta Phi. 



Cease not star thy shining, 
O'er the crescent curve, 

Growing, ne'er declining. 
Deathless hope preserve. 



Alpha Delta Phi Poe7ns. 65 

Towards each Mecca steering 

Brave to reach the strand, 
Nought of danger fearing, 

Safe our bark shall land. 
Refrain. — Work for love, etc. 



Ill 

Ne'er our zeal can falter 

Cheered by noblest aim, 
While devotion's altar 

Glows with sacred flame. 
Every brother drooping 

Loathe to run the race 
Humbly, gently stooping 

Urge his wearied pace. 
Refrain. — Work for love, etc. 



IV 

May the vows uniting 

Pledged in days gone by, 
Ne'er a comrade sHghting, 

Sacred bind for aye ; 
While a world capricious 

Woos or turns aside. 
Let no plot mahcious 

Hearts endeared divide. 
Refrain. — Work for love, etc. 



66 Alpha Delta Phi Poems, 



Through the coming battle, 

Plant the standard high, 
'Mid the roar and rattle 

Dare to do or die. 
Sing the song fraternal, 

Boon companions toast, 
In the march eternal 

Lead the living host. 
Refrain. — Work for love, etc. 




CHRISTMAS POEMS. 




CHRISTMAS POEMS. 

• 

CHRISTMAS MEDITATIONS. 




HILE I sit musing this evening, 
Home scenes inspiring a song, 

Thoughts of my youth would I gather. 
Which to these visions belong. 



Christmas is weaving its garlands, 
Sending its presents to cheer. 

Lines of a brother I send thee 
Hallowed by memories dear. 

Blest was the group of our childhood. 
Watched with its tenderest care, 

When sorrow's cloud overshadowed 
Always an iris was there. 
69 



70 Christmas Poems. 

Bright were illusions, now broken, 
Precious the faces, now gone ; 

Fresh were the pleasures inviting 
Never in after years known. 

Grand was the old-fashioned yule-log. 
Melting the frosts like the sun, 

Or, like a kind nature beaming, — 
Welcomes withholding from none. 

Icy winds scattered the snow-flakes, 
Shook the bare limbs of the trees ; 

Warm hearts with good cheer at Christmas, 
Arctic winds never could freeze. 

Sympathy gave to the needy, — 
Those without fuel or food ; 

Outflowed a holiday bounty. 

Where it might do the most good. 

Oft I recall those revered ones, 
Seeking the tendrils to train, 

Whose words, like manna from heaven. 
Never shall reach us again. 

Vivid that group seems this evening, 

Every bright face do I see; 
Yet am I mocked by my senses. 

Most from their troubles are free. 



Christmas Poems. 71 

May the sweet glamour, dear sister, 

Picturing days that are past, 
Change to reaHty fadeless, 

Where such bright visions will last. 

Gold is much valued of metals, 

Chiefly because it is rare ; 
Home do we cherish more dearly, 

When fewer numbers are there. 

Hence do we cling to each other, 

Even as wave clings to wave, 
'Mid the long lost and forgotten, 

Each cherished link would we save. 



CHRISTMAS CAROL. 

HARK ! those strains, so sweetly falling, 
On that festal mom ! 
To our hearts are they recalling, 

Christ, our King, was born. 
He has come to give a blessing 

To the poor, the sad ; 
He has come with kind caressing 
Making children glad. 

Chorus. 
Hark ! those strains so sweetly falling. 

On that festal morn ! 
To our hearts are they recalling, 

Christ, our King, was born. 



y2 Christmas Poems. 

Hie we to the lowly manger, 

At the village inn ; 
Let us greet the wondrous stranger 

Saving all from sin ; 
Let us bring a royal treasure, 

Like the wise of old ; 
Love sincere and without measure, 

Better far than gold. 
Chorus. — Hark, etc. 

What though wintry winds are blowing 

Leaves from off the tree ; 
And no more the flocks are lowing. 

On the upland lea ; 
Christ each little lamb is tending. 

Folding it with care ; 
From the storms of life defending. 

From its chilling air. 
Chorus. — Hark, etc. 

May those angels, at the dawning. 

Singing in the sky. 
Ever with a kindly warning 

Bid the tempter fly. 
When no more on earth is given 

Joy like this to-day, 
May such messengers of Heaven 

Bear our souls away. 
Chorus. — Hark, etc. 



Christmas Poems. 73 



A CHRISTMAS CAROL. 

WITHIN a stable cold and drear, 
The Lord of life is born ; 
While lowly shepherds watching near 

Salute the Christmas morn ; 
A hght is shed to cheer the gloom, 

'T is not the sunbeam's ray ; 
It shines to banish Sin's dark doom. 
As angels wake the day. 

Chorus. 
Prolong, ye bells, the strain divine, 

Ye choirs, choice anthems sound ; 
The fir tree bring, the laurel, pine — 

For Peace on earth is found. 

O mother, watching o'er thy child, 

Enrolled among Christ's poor, 
Thy burden cast on Jesus mild, 

And He will bless thy store ; 
A Christ descends to free mankind, 

From each enslaving fear, 
The careworn, needy, lost to find. 

And stay the falling tear. 
Chorus. — Prolong, etc. 



74 Christmas Poems. 

Oh, boast not thou of gold and gems, 

Beyond thy fellows placed ; 
When He, supreme in loftiest realms, 

So mean a lot embraced ; 
The manger mocks vain mortal pride. 

Of station, wealth or birth, — 
Exalts a Saviour crucified 

Above the thrones of earth. 
Chorus. — Prolong, etc. 

And ye engrossed with self alone 

Of graceless frozen heart. 
For past remissness quick atone, 

And of thy means impart ; 
" To live for others," glorious thought. 

The best by Bethlehem given, 
In every Christian soul 't is wrought, 

It rules the Courts of Heaven. 
Chorus. — Prolong, etc. 



TO A FRIEND 
BORN ON CHRISTMAS DAY. 

THE brightest day on earth 
Was that which gave thee birth. 
Emmanuel was born 
Upon thy natal morn; 



Christmas Poems. 75 

Divine incarnate love 
Descended from above. 
With many thou art given 
This richest boon of Heaven. 
May joys with thee abide 
Secured through Christmastide, 
And grief stay but awhile 
Dispersed by Jesus' smile. 



ON VIEWING A PICTURE ENTITLED 
** THE EMPTY STOCKING." 

TIS Christmas eve, with whistling wind 
And drifting snow and frozen stream, 
While fancies weisd excite the mind, 
And fireside joys more pleasant seem. 

In yonder cot no contrast glows, 
To chase the gloom of Wintertide ; 

No larder's store, nor ember shows. 
The picture smiles with winsome side. 

A widow sits absorbed in grief, 
With Elsie nigh, a loving child ; 

In vain she looks for some relief. 

As storm-fiends shriek 'mid orgies wild. 



76 Christmas Foems. 

With tone assuring, Elsie's voice 

Suggests the coming Christmas morn ; 

Like all beside, would she rejoice 

To hail the day when Christ was born. 

" Mama," she says, with fondest look, 
" My stocking must I hang this eve 
In which I know some toy or book 
Good Santa Claus will surely leave." 

The mother gives a glance of pain, 
As childish hopes are lifted high ; 

Without one wish to prove them vain 
She says, while 'scapes a mournful sigh, 

" Your stocking do not hang to-night. 

Perchance you may not find it filled ; " 
She mused on their impoverished plight. 
With threadbare clothing, hungry, chilled. 

" O yes, I must, I 've prayed to-day. 
Mama, you should no longer weep, 
That Santa Claus would wipe away 
Your tears by gifts while fast asleep." 

" God bless you for that prayer, my dear," 
The widow says, — " I '11 ne'er repine. 
But trust His word, nor longer fear. 

Though Christmas gifts should not be mine. 



Christmas Poems. 77 

A spacious mansion full of light, 

Defies the raging storm without ; 
Profusely spread, exposed to sight, 

Are Christmas favors strewn about; 

French dolls attired in silk and lace. 

That roll their eyes and even talk, 
And dolls that move from place to place, 

By strange contrivance made to walk. 

Choice albums bound in gold and calf. 
And Huyler's latest bonbons rare, 

And monkeys stuffed that make you laugh. 
With greater beasts that make you stare. 

Amid the group of various sort 

Are puzzles, games, and dancing-jacks ; 

Fierce soldiers that have never fought. 
And riders swarth on camels' backs. 

But time would fail to mention all 
Arrayed to cheer the boys and girls. 

From humming-top and bat and ball 
To mincing maids with bangs and curls. 

A little one with soulful eyes. 

While nestled in her downy bed. 
With earnest words her mother plies, 

Disclosing plans of heart and head. 



78 Christmas Poems. 

She oft, it seems, across the street. 
The widow saw with daughter fair, 

Whom always she would kindly greet. 
Though driven with a coach and pair. 

Says she, " Mama, I hope and pray 
That Santa Claus will .surely bring 

Dear Elsie Brown, on Christmas day, 
Some useful and some pretty thing. 

" The mother seems so very poor, 

And works so hard though wan and pale ; 
Just leave a present at the door. 

Lest Santa Claus should chance to fail." 

The parent views with tender look 
Her child so pure, so full of love ; 

Reverting then to toy or book. 
Sure Elsie's prayer is heard above. 



Bright Christmas comes with cloudless sky, 
The earth is clad in bridal white ; 

While " Glory be to God on high," 

Might well resound from height to height. 

To seek her stocking Elsie goes. 
But finds it empty as when hung. 

Her heart with sorrow overflows. 
By deepest disappointment wrung. 



Christmas Poems. 79 

But lo, the cottage door she opes, 

And silken hose salute her eyes ; 
The contents seen awake new hopes, 

As charmed she stands in mute surprise. 

A handsome purse with silver gleams. 
And dolls, with toys and sweets appear ; 

A book, with bright-hued pictures beams. 
And tales to suit the coming year. 

An order in her mother's name. 

She then perceives, — to fill the hours 

With work, for food and friendly flame. 

When cold the blasts and dead the flowers. 

Each empty stocking God doth fill, 
If we His faithful children prove ; 

It only rests to do His will, 

To wait His time, — to look above. 



TO A BEREAVED FRIEND. 

HATH Christmas no bright wreaths for thee ? 
Such woe is thine ? 
Why wilt thou with the cypress gloom 

Each thought entwine ? 
Not tears, but smiles become these days, 

Bhthesome through Love. 
The heart should echo songs of praise, 



8o Christmas Poems, 

Swelling above. 
Let Grief depart to Night's abode, 

With sable pall, 
Since, in the East that Star arose 

Beaming for all. 
The Lord, who with resistless word, 

Brought life at Nain, 
. Would rend the shroud that wraps thy soul, 

Raise joy again. 
The blended notes that filled the sky. 

By angels given, 
Proclaim — the dead in Christ are one — 

Household in Heaven. 
The rarest flowers will often bloom, 

'Mid damp and shade, 
From present sorrow blessings may 

Thy life pervade. 
Oh, let the light of Christmastide, 

And the New Year, 
Reveal the kindness hid beneath, 

Where frowns appear. 



ADIRONDACK POEMS. 




ADIRONDACK POEMS. 

• 

ST. HUBERT'S ISLE. 

NUMBER ONE. 

'ID Adirondack beauty, Racquette Lake appears, 
The fairest called, by some, of all the liquid chain ; 
Its striking promontories, and its mountain views, 
Its various windings, the surprises of its shores. 
The smoothness, clearness of its water, when the winds 
Allayed, refuse awhile to vex the elements, — 
A picturesqueness give to fill a poet's dream. 
On Racquette is an island scarce two acres broad, 
The name is from St. Hubert, patron of the chase. 
And well is it bestowed where choicest game abounds. 
A church within its wood both grace and nature blend. 
Near which are found the hemlock, pine, the spruce, and 

fern. 
St. Hubert's jagged front, rude paths and rustic bridge. 
Its scattered branches, rocks part clad in hoary moss, 

83 



84 Adirondack Poems. 

The squirrel, reckless, freely bounding at its will. 
The bird that fearless builds her nest, and pours her lay,- 
Declare a spot remote, unfettered by the bands. 
Enforcing mockeries — the bane of civil Hfe. 
This isle is fitly consecrated to its God. 
This tenderloin of woodland doth Rehgion claim. 
An altar has it framed, and rest for him who serves. 
Protected is the shrine like that by Moses built ; 
Yet touch profane no dreadful statute here prevents. 
But Reverence — assured through local metes and bounds. 
Upon that holy day which sanctifies the seven, 
If cloudless and serene the surface of the lake, 
Like pinions moving, oars are plied the church to reach ; 
No vehicle with clatter shocks the air composed. 
But, as by silent wing of angels, souls are borne 
To where a common sentiment invites to kneel. 
Within a leaf-girt harbor are the boats made fast, 
Or, at a nearer landing lifted on a rock. 
When ends the tolling of the bell that sweet resounds. 
The voice of supplication and of praise is heard. 
The preacher then, like John within the wilderness. 
The truth proclaims, inspired by unseen presence felt. 
When all have paid their homage to the forest's Lord, 
On Him their burthens casting 'mid primeval works, — 
The feeble and the strong, the hunter and the guide 
To camp in view, or nestling down some bay, depart. 
Then o'er the sacred island stillness reigns again. 
Save where the sparrow chirrups or bee hums 'mid the 
flowers. 



Adirondack Poems. 85 

ST. HUBERT'S ISLE. 

NUMBER TWO. 

ON Racquette Lake, St. Hubert's Island 
Arrests the eye — a lovely highland, 
A noted feature in the skyland. 
A church, with rectory is seen, 
Inclosed by flower and evergreen, 
A guide to point the wandering mind. 
The regions of the soul to find. 

The wave is oft with splendors glowing. 
The majesty of sunset showing, 
A richness o'er the landscape throwing. 
The squirrel boldly climbs the tree, 
The bird and butterfly soar free. 
Protected near devotion's seat, — 
From harmful snare, — a sure retreat. 



Like doves unto their windows flying, 

Note worshipers in boats outlying. 

Who, toward the House of God are hieing. 

The man of leisure and of wealth. 

The invalid in search of health ; 

The huntsmen who 'mid deerland roam, 

Now seek this consecrated Home. 



86 Adirondack Poems. 

The day is fading on the island, 
The worshipers have left the highland, 
Far down the lake or on the nighland. 
Now vanished is the glare of day, 
The moon asserts her gentle sway ; 
And seems with loving smile to bless, 
This shrine within the wilderness. 



SONG OF THE OPEN CAMP. 

NUMBER ONE. 

'^ I ^ IS pleasant, after a weary tramp, 

X To meet at night in the open camp, 
To feel the glow of the genial blaze, 
That conquers gloom by its welcome rays. 
We hear of many a trophy won, 
By flood and field with the rod and gun ; 
The welkin rings with the song and jest. 
Till sleep steals on and enforces rest. 

The tie of friendship is always dear. 
Let those it blesses be far or near, 
A gem on shore or a pearl at sea, 
A prize of age or of youthful glee, — 
It gives content when all else hath flown. 
Their names it hallows when friends have gone. 
Not more on earth doth its charm inspire 
Than when invoked by the camp and fire. 



Adirondack Foe) f is. 87 

But few enjoyments we mortals know 
With strange mosaic of weal and woe ; 
The blame for which may be ours or not 
As each has used or abused his lot. 
But zest is found that we ne'er forget — 
A beam of hope ere the sun has set, — 
It cheers by lake and by mountain spire, 
In open camp with its social fire. 

SONG OF THE OPEN CAMP. 

NUMBER TWO. 

IET jocund mirth beguile with song, 
^ The camp-fire burns to-night ; 
To us the sources true belong, 
Whence flows a pure delight. 
That summer's dream will soon be o'er 

Is traced on flower and leaf, 
Use well the moments yet in store 
Of earth's enjoyments brief. 

Let Fancy weave to-morrow's sport, 

Of deer hunt, rod and reel, 
Of base-ball and the tennis-court, 

Where wildwood odors steal ; 
But sHghting not the guide boat's course, 

Through inlet, lake, and creek. 
To where the rapids' noise and force, 

Dispute the point we seek. 



88 Adiro7idack Poems. 

Yet Wisdom's voice with loud demand, 

Uncertain schemes would crush, 
It much prefers the " bird in hand, 

To two within the bush." 
So ere the day, may each his part 

Perform in blithesome mood, 
Reproving every churlish heart, 

That scorns a present good. 



SONG OF THE OPEN CAMP. 

NUMBER THREE. 

UP the mountain. 
Towards the fountain, 
Jubilant notes prolong; 
Earth rejoices, 
Distant voices 
Echoing our camp-fire song. 

Merry we carol to Hesperus far. 
Drink to the moon from our cold-water bar 
Fragrance of woodland alluring to stay, 
Rivulet music inspiring our lay ; 

Chorus. — Up the mountain, etc. 

Proud emotion 
Like the ocean, 
SweUing and surging on, 



Adirondack Poems. 89 

Seems revealing 
Nature's healing — 
Life — 'mid our pleasures won. 

Free are our spirits from burthens released, 
Freely we breathe — every muscle increased, 
Fashion's restraints in these wilds are ne'er found. 
Warbling of birds shuts out traffic's dull sound. 

Chorus. 
'Mid the ringing 
Of the singing 
Guides draw near fire, to sate ; 
Flames are rising, 
Night surprising, — 
Love — thus o'ermasters hate. 

Often we think of some others at home, 
Fondly devising that hither they come, 
Here at the open camp joining in sports, 
Princes might covet as pastime for courts. 

Chorus. 

THE BEAR IN THE ADIRONDACKS. 

THE first bear I ever met in the Adirondacks, 
Had such a paw 
And such a jaw. 
As did my courage sorely tax. 



go Adirondack Poems. 

One day direct to Golden Beach 
We rowed, and, when about to reach 

The strand, 

A figure dark, 

Upon a lark, 
At frightened chickens rudely stared, 
While, ogre-like, his eye-balls glared. 

A lady in the boat who sat, 

Quite anxious, queried, " What is that ? 

A dog ?" — 
" The critter there ? 

An old black bear," — 
The guide said, resting on his oar; 
Her pulse leaped higher than before. 

To youth, upon the land espied, 
" A bear, a bear," the lady cried, 
" Run, run." 
Some Hectors flew. 
And shouted too ; 
While panting for a gory fray, 
They sought their arms without delay. 

The uproar caused the bear to go. 
But only with a movement slow 
And calm ; 
When out of sight 
The squad showed fight, 



Adirondack Poems. 

And made a Balaklava charge, — 
But not too near the brute at large. 

When speedily they all had fired, 
Judiciously they all retired 

Unhurt. 

They shot, pray where ? 

Oh ! in the air ; 
These heroes wise, who came away. 
Prepared to fight another day. 

Advancing from his sure retreat, 
The monster yet may chickens eat — 
And men. 
O lucky bear 
That was n't there ! 
Fair maidens o'er the warriors raved. 
Who Bruin and themselves had saved. 




MISCELLANEOUS. 




MISCELLANEOUS. 



ON THE DEATH OF LONGFELLOW. 

EVOTED watchers of the sky 

Upon a starry night, 
Amid the orbs suspended high 
Exalt some favorite hght, 
Which, far beyond its fellows seems 
Like Kohinoor, with peerless gleams. 




But should they on some evening find 
That friend cannot be traced, — 

An unseen hand where once it shined, 
Its glories had erased, — 

No stellar beauty on its throne, 

Could ever for this loss atone. 

95 



cj6 Miscellaneous. 

Amid the gifted few of song 
Whose treasures cheer our way, 

A bard whom we have cherished long, 
Has calmly passed away. 

No other genius owns his skill. 

To charm the fancy, mold the will. 



While wide the galaxy is fraught 
With those of radiant power, — 

Who in the firmament of thought 
Will far survive the hour, 

Amid the depth of present woe 

Their numbers seem in vain to flow. 



We mourn thee as the poet dear 
Who touched the simplest soul ; 

We mourn thee as one very near 
With purity thy goal. 

The music of the " Psalm of Life," 

Renews each laggard in the strife. 

Unnoticed Nature blooms beneath 

The magic of thy wand, 
The tree, the flower, the shrub, the leaf. 

More beauteous deck the land. 
Through thee, the very dullest sod 
Seems fashioned by the hand of God. 



Miscellafieous. 97 

The smith, the gleaner from the soil 

A common share may claim, 
In thee, since thou to sacred toil 

Dost give its place and name. 
Dost weave in verse a coronet 
Upon its honest brow to set. 



A field neglected thou hast tilled, 
And broadcast scattered grain ; 

We know from many a garner filled, 
Thou hast not sown in vain; 

In distant countries fruits appear, 

From seed which thou hast planted here. 

At Pisa, in the spacious fane, 

The chord awaked below, 
Arising, sounds in softer strain. 

Till lost in echoes low ; — 
So thy sweet thoughts will mount from time, 
And mingle in the dome sublime. 

A man in will, in faith a child. 
The children loved thee well ; — 

Allured by tones and bearing mild. 
They sought thy gentle spell; 

Their innocence thy goodness saw. 

By instinct's ne'er misleading law. 



98 Miscella^ieous. 

The home of Washington was thine, 
Whose valor won our State ; 

The Muse and Liberty combine 
To stem tyrannic hate. 

A pilgrimage to such abode 

Is prompted by a double goad. 

His epic Homer gave to Greece, 
And Virgil sang for Rome, 

And Shakespeare's strain will never cease 
To live in time to come ; 

But Longfellow will always be 

The pride and glory of the free. 



RENEWAL OF WORK ON THE PEDESTAL. 



WHAT means yon stone ? 
'T is promise vain of sculpture not completed. 
Alas, how lone ! 
No workmen seen ; must Pride then be entreated ? 



'T is well thus far; 
But wherefore, pray, the pile no more advances ? 

What fickle star 
To stupid sloth and base neglect entrances ? 



Miscellaneous. 99 

III 

Hath fled the charm, 
In Freedom's name, whereon our Hope was founded 

To wrest this harm ? 
Historic wraiths see stalk abroad confounded ! 

IV 

Great Lafayette 
And Rochambeau — the brave De Grasse — 'mid others — 

In mute regret, 
Would fan the flame this cold indifference smothers. 



Alas ! how droops 
The eagle's wing, beyond his eyrie soaring ! 

What dying swoops ! — 
Niagara's flood, meanwhile, a protest roaring. 

VI 

Renew the task — 
A signal meet for every struggling nation — 

Nor let them ask 
If yet we bear to Freedom's cause relation. 

VII 

When faint the sense 
That limned the Stars and Stripes our flag enfolding, 

'T will glow intense — 
The gift of France, in beauteous grace beholding. 



loo Miscellaneous, 

VIII 

Those hither bound 
Will read a truth while here perchance they tarry ; 

When home is found, 
The noble truth to other lands they '11 carry. 

IX 

Let each in love 
Some tribute give, — a patriot's willing token, — 

Faint hearts to move, 
That far and wide the oppressor's chain be broken. 

A HYPERCRITICAL WORLD. 

PARAPHRASED FROM THE AFGHAN. 

STRIVE as you may to gain the good opinion 
Of man, so hard to please ; 
And soon you '11 find, from king to lowest minion, 

On trifles most will seize, 
By which to torture with malign inventions — 

To make your right seem wrong — 
When naught but e'en the very best intentions 
To every act belong. 

Let youth, within the snares of dissipation, 

Resolve the better way. 
Constrained will be pronounced its reformation, 

Postponed till latest day. 



Miscellaneous. i o i 

A purpose grave, a manly resolution, 

Says Rumor, shares no part, 
In what appears a moral revolution 

Affecting mind and heart. 

If thou wouldst silent sit instead of prating, 

Whatever be the cause ; 
Some reason false, ingenious slander stating, 

Vaunts zeal for social laws. 

The spirit of the coward is imputed. 

If thou dost weigh thy speech ; 
' 'T is plain," it says, " and ne'er can be refuted, 

The rogue would overreach." 

Or, if thou art incHned to conversation. 

Of sentiment or wit. 
Some self-styled critic of thy generation 

In judgment harsh will sit ; — 

Will say in undertone, with shrugs and winking, 
" No substance here is found. 
This fluent phrase contains but little thinking, 
'T is all unmeaning sound." 

If seclusion thou prefer. 

To the clamor and the stir, 
Of an uncongenial crowd, — 

Men will call thee cold and proud. 



I02 Miscellaneous. 

If thou mingle with thy kind, 
To reheve of care the mind, 

Some will say, " Yon lazy lout 
Is a worthless gad-about." 

If a fortune one should gain. 
After years of toil and pain; 

And he spend it on himself, — 
Men will say, " The stingy elf." 

If one freely scatter gold. 
And his charities be told, 

'T will be said, while some applaud, 
" He secured his means by fraud." 

E'en the poor and honest man. 
Scorning every unfair plan. 

Will be sneered at as a fool. 
Who observes the golden rule. 

If one seem quite neat and nice. 
In the latest mode precise ; 
" A Miss Nancy," men will say, 

" Who in prinking spends the day." 

Or, if one be plain in dress. 
Not on fashion laying stress, 

A coarse sloven he'll be dubbed, 

And by snobs perchance be snubbed. 



Miscellaneous. 103 

But let a carping world censorious prove, 

Should this, from what our conscience bids us move ? 
Not they to greatness soar who heed such scorn, 

From fools ejected and of envy born. 
The Roman warrior, the Grecian sage, 

The saintly few whose lives redeemed their age, 
'Mid floods of censure, vile as undeserved, 

A bearing brave, persistent have preserved. 
Then let the crowd misjudge thee as it will, 

With sense of right, be firm, press onward still. 
And as the eagle soars beyond the cloud. 

Looks down unmoved above the lessening crowd. 
Far o'er the dwindling critics thou wik sail, 

And smile at those whose schemes can naught avail. 

INDIVIDUALITY. 

NO two aUke on earth are made. 
All differ, if by faintest shade ; 
Distinction marks created things. 
From beast that prowls, to bird that sings ; 
The fish that swarm within the sea, 
The insect tribe, from mite to bee. 
Have diverse features deep inlaid. 

Why thus should oneness be impressed, 
On objects in resemblance dressed, 
Except variety of sounds 
In Nature's harmony abounds ; 



I04 Miscellaneous. 

That self alone should be preserved, 

Originality conserved, 

Whereby we speak and act the best ? 

Some often will a model take, 
From chance acquaintances they make; 
From cynosures who cause a stir. 
Through gifts conferred on him or her ;- 
They think, e'en in their faults attired^ 
That they will be as much admired. 
As those praised for their virtue's sake. 

The protean man is now alone, 
Next, normal self has quickly flown; 
Behold him stately and erect, 
Then see him smile and genuflect ; 
To-day he seems quite rational. 
To-morrow, international, 
With Hsps and shrugs and foreign tone. 

To-day he is aesthetical. 

But this is hypothetical. 

For, 'mid the changes found in Hfe, 

The cockney slang may soon be rife ; 

His mother tongue receives a blow 

By " thanks awfully," and " you know," 

More vulgar than poetical. 

Alas, when wisdom stamps the age, 
Doth imitation thus engage ; 



Miscellaneous. 105 

The classic Romans aped the Greeks, 
Disturbing Cato by their freaks ; 
The token we can scarcely find, 
That tells the independent mind — 
'Mid quest for what is " all the rage." 

The rose courts not the lily's bloom, 
. Nor envies she her sweet perfume ; 
But each in beauties given doth shine 
Admired alike, from source divine ; 
No more should we our gifts despise. 
On others look with envious eyes, 
Unmeaningly their ways assume. 



CALAMITY. 

CALAMITY ! Oh, whence dost come, 
Thou grim destroyer, laying low 
The good, the grand, the beautiful — 
Ignoring treasure, haughty mien. 
Triumphal arch or state of kings — 
The gems of genius, wrought by Art, 
The pride of cities — hope of man ? 

Dost come through accident — caprice 

Of great creation's potentate ? 

In mercy to a suffering world. 

With besom dost thou harsh approach — 



io6 Miscellaneous. 

That many more may grow and live, 
In purer, higher walks, which lead 
To summits of eternity. 

Jehovah, who the lily gave. 

The rose to bloom and cheer the way 

By common footsteps trod — who lights 

With central fire, diffusing warmth. 

And opening nature to the eye — 

Who night adorns with silvery orb, 

'Mid changeless lamps of gentle beam. 

Descends in flood and hurricane. 

In bursting cloud and lurid glare, 

In desolating famine, sword 

And pestilence, with ruthless scythe — 

To bless in ways we cannot see. 

The forge of love, with glowing heat. 

Of visitation, handling rude. 

To stern endurance frames the soul. 

Which brings at length to pastures green, 

Whose margents waters still inclose. 

Therefrom are wrought in spotless white 

Kind ministries that never cease 

Dispensing comforts, which engage, 

Like visions of a holy eve — 

The peaceful iris, mists disclose, 

And resignation blinding tears. 

A country wounded statesmen heal. 



Miscellaneous. 107 

From war's defeat new heroes spring. 
The smitten rock clear water yields. 
To Moses, God, through fire, is known, 
'T is only, after dread portents, 
Elijah hears the still, small voice. 
From depths of woe, yet unrevealed. 
Come hfe and immortality. 



TO BE A PROTESTANT. 

TO be a Protestant is what ? 
To be a man of narrow mind ? 
Who hates all others of his kind ? 
To charity, to reason blind ? 

To be a Protestant is what ? — 

To be a friend of liberty ; 

To think the truth will make us free — 

To hate and strive 'gainst tyranny. 

To be a Protestant is what ? 

To feel for all a Saviour died. 

Low superstition to deride, 

To read God's word whate'er betide. 

To be a Protestant is what ? 
To keep our country, as to-day, 
Apart from foreign despots' sway — 
To God, through Christ, alone to pray. 



I o 8 Miscellaneous. 

BE LOWLY, O CHRISTIAN ! 



BE lowly, O Christian, to all of thy kind, — 
A brother despise not, impoverished, obscure, — 
God sealed him thine equal, with heart and with mind,- 

Not less for his rescue did Jesus endure. 
By deed as by word let the poor man believe 
Thy vows to thy Master, ne'er made to deceive. 



Pray how art thou better than penury's child, 

With station, subservience to wealth at command ? 

Durst vaunt of a nature than his less defiled, 

A soul more defended from sorrow's dread hand ? 

Alike may ye taste of life's bitterest draught 

Sin's chalice commingled by both may be quaffed. 

Ill 
The nursling of fortune, inflated with pride, 

Surrenders conceit to the dust of which made, 
E'en Tarquin Superbus must sleep side by side 

With sycophant vassal of commonest grade. 
The despot who governs a world by his nod, 
Ignoble must die at the mandate of God. 

IV 

A signet divine wears the humblest brow, 
A coronet bright above rags may be seen ; 



Miscellaneous. 109 

A fair pearl of Grace may the plainest endow, 
A soul unpolluted 'mongst hovels is clean ; 
No atom of gold would you cast to the wind — 
Some gold in each mortal, observant, we find. 



Be lowly, then. Christian, nor let worldly caste 
Wear haughty demeanor to those of one birth ; 

Let toil-worn, neglected feel Christ's love is vast 

Through those who proclaim themselves followers upon 

Thus concord may reconcile differing estate [earth. 

Till Labor on Capital patiently wait. 



THOUGHTS ON VISITING THE GRAVE OF 
GENERAL ULYSSES S. GRANT. 



TREAD sofdy by the river. 
No common relics lie 
Beneath yon mound, which seems to say, 
" The great, the good must die." 



Tread lightly by the river; 

Ye see no tyrant's grave — 
Who trampled on the rights of man — 

Beside the peaceful wave. 



no Miscellaneous. 

Ill 

One sleeps whose courage failed not 
'Mid war's most maddening din, 

Yet gentle as the gentlest child 
That slumbers free from sin. 

IV 

When blackest clouds hung o'er us 
In dread fraternal strife, 

A chieftain new revived the hosts 
And raised from death to life. 



No tempest rose more direful 

Abreast the ship of state. 
The sturdy pilot grasped the helm 

Deciding human fate. 

VI 

If needs," said he, "all summer through 

On this line I will fight." 
Such iron purpose cleaved the way 

To Richmond's distant height. 

VIT 

His name can never perish 

Who gave the Union birth ; 
And green his wreath will ever be 

Who slavery swept from earth. 



Miscellaneous, 1 1 1 

VIII 

And while we laud the manhood 

That dealt the patriot blow, 
Our hearts commend the christian love 

Which raised a fallen foe. 

IX 

So long as beauteous sunset 

Shall glow on Hudson's tide, 
Will Hve the tale how blue and gray 

Wept, standing side by side. 

X 

That " mercy shown to others " 

He cannot fail to find, — 
EcHpsing far the dazzling fame 

The soldier leaves behind. 



THE HIDDEN CROSS. 

SCARCE ever to the eye appears, 
The cross within a soul's domain, 
'T is bathed in silent, secret tears 
Therewith are blended unknown fears, 
A muffled grief, an untold pain. 

Perhaps it is a broken vow, 

A faithful loving heart betrayed; 



112 Miscellaneous. 

The wreath torn from a hero's brow, 
Before a rival weak to bow ; 

A wound by hollow friendship made. 

Anon it is the wear and tear 
Of active life, of toil for bread, 

Dependent little ones in care ; 

Perchance a pauper's grave to share — 
A hopeless weeping for the dead. 

Whate'er it be of heart or mind. 

Or anguish caused this nerve- strung frame, 
In every child of woe we find 
A cross to which the world is blind — 
To rich, to poor, to all the same. 

Would we this unveiled sadness heal 

And stay the deep dark Marah-tide ? 
Another cross doth Christ reveal. 
Which all of grief cannot conceal 

Where Calvary's streams of mercy glide. 



THE BREAKER. 

ATI NY fleck of purest white creeps on from far, — 
Apace it comes with growing form. 
And now 't is lost, as lost in clouds the trembhng star, — 
Again it speaks the hastening storm. 



Miscellaneous. 1 1 3 

Anon, as sensitive and deep stirred swells the breast, 
It rises stately towards its height 
Till dashed against resistful rocks in wild unrest, 
Its form is soon removed from sight. 

While many tearful eyes perceive the distant foam ; 
Upon the face dismay is told; 

A watery winding sheet it seems to hearts o'ercome ; 
The ardent pulse of youth grows cold. 

Though wrecks, with loved and lost, the treacherous 

depths bestrew. 
Who cheerful bounded o'er the main, 
What heeds the mocking breaker gathering force anew, 
Presaging tempest fierce again ? 

While o'er the misty way we float towards spirit clime 
Some breaker rises, sure if slow. 
The faithful soul defies the ruthless floods of time. 
As yon stanch cliff the rage below. 



THE BELL BUOY. 

A BELFRY on the deep ; 
No land appears, — 
Yet mystic chiming strangely fills the air, — 
It wakes from sleep. 
It conjures fears. 
The source, — pray where ? 
8 



114 Miscellaneous. 

Thou buoy that floats the wave, 
The secret tell — 
" Unwary ones that heed not dangerous shoals "- 
These notes would save ; 
My seeming spell, — 
" The sea controls," 

'Mid dancing, thoughtless spray 
These sentry sounds 
Betoken grief for those who sleep below, 
A dirge-like sway 
From ocean mounds — 
An echoed woe. 

Within each human breast 
The soul to keep, 
A warning bell to every one is known ; 
This signal blessed 
Mocks self-willed sleep — 
In undertone. 

'T is not on virtue's tide 
Its sounds we hear, 
But when sin's treacherous waters, seeming fair. 
Their perils hide — 
In kindness near — 
It rings, — " Beware." 



MiscellaJieous. 1 1 

ON THE DEATH OF NATHANIEL SMITH 
RICHARDSON, D. D. 

HE fell with his armor girded on, 
Equipped for the thickening strife ; 
The prize, through the Master bravely won, 
At once crowned his useful life. 

He valued the truth and sold it not, 

Did benison come, or blame, 
A message from God he ne'er forgot, 

Spite interest and scorn the same. 

While purblind prophets gave ready ear, 

As syrens their world-strain sang, 
Disdaining all sordid, craven fear, 

His tocsin unceasing rang. 

He watched with care, lest the Church, the Bride, 
From Bridegroom should be divorced ; — 

While fiercely brake the opposing tide. 
Of Christ, the Head, he discoursed. 

Repose in peace with each loyal heart, 

The palm of the Just be thine; 
Thy choice was the hard but better part, 

Upheld by a voice divine. 



ii6 Miscellaneous. 

Whoe'er may condemn thy conscience word, 

Can scarcely fail to admire 
That spirit in man which will be heard, 

Undaunted by sword or fire. 

May those commissioned by One on high. 

Be ever as leal as he ; 
In love may they all as faithfial vie, 

That Sion fi-om taint be fi-ee. 

For place or pelf may they not be found, 

Accepting the false, if new; 
In doctrine may each be stanch and sound. 

If kindred souls be the few. 



VAIN REGRETS. 

WHO that looks upon the past 
Does not ponder ? 
Who that reads its strange neglects. 

Does not wonder 
If the coming days shall prove 

Any better ? 
Whether Haste or Sloth shall write 

Such dark letter ? — 
Waste no sighs on what can ne'er 

Be prevented, 
Acts to which a pliant will 

Hath consented. 



Miscellaneous. 1 1 7 

Careless seedsmen oft become 

Far more chary, 
If the birds devour the grain 

When unwary. 
Dost thou for thy planting lost, 

Trouble borrow ? 
Prayerful sow, and thou shalt reap 

Joy, not sorrow. 



THE SILENT MARCH. 

THE march of life is onward ever, 
Its fleeing moments spurn delay ; 
As soon may man from being sever. 
As cease to tread its solemn way. 

When least aware we still are moving. 
All pilgrims toward an unseen goal ; 

If slothful, or our days improving. 
We float along as billows roll. 

Nay, e'en when Sleep asserts dominion. 
Earth slumb'ring 'neath her drowsy reign, 

The swift- winged Hours ne'er fold a pinion — 
Their flight no less though star-beams wane. 

We cannot change the tide when flowing ; 

We cannot bind the zephyr free ; 
We cannot breast the Hfe's on-going. 

Like streamlet gliding toward the sea. 



1 8 Miscellafieous. 

Momentous this resistless marching, 

This silent step toward shores unknown - 

'Mid Alpine glacier, desert parching — 
Its footprints found in every zone. 

But, oh, to ponder mystic winding 
In realms beyond our vision's range ! 

That paths there trod we here are finding, 
Is theme for musing, wondrous strange. 



THE TOMB OF JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE. 

ASIDE from traffic, in a humble brake, 
. Repose the reHcs of the poet Drake ; 
No classic column with surmounting bust. 

As yet denotes where lies the silent dust ; 
But willows lowly o'er him weeping bend. 

Dejected by the loss of Nature's friend. 
Although the Muse bewailed him in his prime. 

And Halleck grieved at Death's untoward time, 
Yet thoughts of ripeness and of Living Truth 

Adorned the treasures of a well spent youth. 
The " Culprit Fay," a pure aerial sprite. 

And " Freedom's Flag " with hues of heavenly light ; 
And " Gentle Bronx," whose unpretending tide. 

Doth through his magic numbers sweetly glide, — 
Are deep inlaid upon the scroll of fame. 

The deathless record of a well earned name. . 



Miscellaneous. 119 

Though hghtly did the bard esteem his worth, 

Consigned at last to this secluded earth ; — 
The fragrant wild-flower blooming near his bed, 

The wind that sighs, from briny billows shed, 
The lark that breaks the loneliness of morn, 

The harvest ripening with its wealth of corn, 
Seem now to speak, prophetic of that hour. 

When Drake in bronze shall test the artist's power. 
When merit shall its due award receive. 

And Genius sHghted need no longer grieve. 



ODE TO STATEN ISLAND. 

AN isle with lovely shore 
l\. O'erspread with rural bloom ; 
A city vast before 

Enwrapt in misty gloom. 
This pleasant isle, 
Not many a mile 

From where men pant for room. 

What place more fair conceived 
In Fancy's realms of light. 

Which those from toil relieved 
May greet with favored sight 

At set of sun. 

When work is done. 

And slow descends the night ? 



I20 Miscellaneous. 

At Kill von Kull a ray 
In beauty decks the sea, 

At close of sultry day, 

When fettered limbs are free. 

A picture — joy, 

The heart's decoy, 

Bids brooding sorrow flee. 

But yet, ere eyes grow dim 
To note the passing year, 

These gardens, neat and trim, 
Perhaps will disappear. 

Till urban shade 

Shall shroud the glade. 

To please coarse traffic's whim. 

But let the prophet tell 

How landmarks are removed, 

I'll ne'er defy the spell 

Of present objects loved : — 

The bird and tree, 

The humming bee. 

Resistless charms have proved. 

Mosquitoes, Standard Oil, 
Or more unpleasant things. 

Shall try in vain to spoil, — 
I mind not fumes nor stings. 

A rural smile. 

Enchanting wile, 

Their fond oblivion brings. 



Miscellaneous. 



TAKE NO THOUGHT FOR THE MORROW. 

WE eat the bread of care ; 
From morn to night we toil, 
Ne'er free from anxious thought, 
Begrimed with mundane soil. 
We climb as though for life ; 
On summits would be placed; 
We build vast futile plans 
By time to be effaced ; 
Absorbed in self alone 
Man envies those who rise; 
Let struggling victims groan 
He seeks to snatch the prize ; 
He vaunts and hugs his store 
As though 't were all in all, 
False laurels would he wear 
Though dearest friend should fall. 
His country or his town, 
His party house or name, 
He writes with glowing pride 
And blends them with his fame. 
Poor dupe of vain ambition. 
He ne'er has wisdom found, 
His grasping disposition 
Shows heart and mind unsound. 



A chieftain from the forest 



122 Miscellaneous. 

Who lived from day to day, 
As thrives the cared-for sparrow 
Or beast that finds its prey ; 
Who slept on grassy pillow 
Content with Nature's fare, 
With humblest comrade wilHng 
His fortune rude to share ; 
Is brought to greet a city 
Where art's attracdons rise, 
Where palaces and towers 
And parks salute his eyes. — 
His guide, supposing, dazzled 
At sights so rare as these, 
The wild and dusky savage, 
Asks what his taste might please. 
The chieftain, nought affected, — 
As deems his eager host — 
Doth ne'er vouchsafe to mention 
What charm dehghts him most ; 
But lost in grave reflection. 
This strange response doth give, — 
" It seems to me you white folk 
Try very hard to Hve." 



Miscellaneous. 123 



LIFE IN DEATH. 

(A group of passengers on a sinking ship join hands and perish 
together. ) 

OUT on the sea, 
Far from the land, 
Buoyant with glee, 
Floats a gay band. 

Hope's banners fly, 

Laughter is loud ; 
O'er heart, o'er sky. 

Hovers no cloud. 

Out on the sea, 

Far from the land, 
Hushed is the glee ; 

Storm waves command. 

Soon on the deep, 

Dangers appal : 
Death's final sleep 

Waiting for all. 

Out on the sea. 

Far from the land, 
Souls shall be free. 

Hand clasping hand. 



24 Miscellaneous. 

Singing a hymn, 
Breathing a prayer, 

Sense becomes dim; 
One grave they share. 

Tossed on the sea, — 
Safe on the shore, — 

Christ's should we be. 
One evermore. 

Happy such tie. 

Sealed with last breath, 

Witnessed on high, 
Hallowing death. 



FIRST IN PEACE, FIRST IN WAR, FIRST IN 
THE HEARTS OF HIS COUNTRYMEN. 



FULL tribute pay to him who, first in peace, 
Demands that grateful tokens never cease. 
The earliest helmsman to our bark of state. 
In civic power uprose a leader great. 
Wild faction's storm his skill at once allayed, 
Who governed self and thus the people swayed. 
The olive twine for him, our birthright won — 
Our heaven-ruled President — our Washington. 



MiscelliUieoiis. 125 



II 



He, first in peace, as first in war, we place. 
When on the field his martial course we trace. 
'Gainst soldiers, battle-trained, he drew his sword, 
Inspiring untried troops with cheering word. 
But human rights his willing footsteps led, 
And thus he conquered while dissuasion fled. 
The laurel weave for work so nobly done, 
In freedom's cause, by vaUant Washington. 

Ill 

Each distant land resounding echo gives 
That first within his country's heart he lives, 
A patriot true, awake to duty's claim, 
His honor dearer held than wealth or fame. — 
At last, when all his lustrous traits we scan. 
Our judgment yields approval to — a man. 
With amaranthine bloom that braves the sun, 
Let memory crown the peerless Washington. 

WINTER. 

BOISTEROUS winter, prophet of ill, 
Rough side of nature, desolate, chill, 
Killing the flower, stripping the tree. 
Forcing the song-bird southward to flee, 
Driving the kine from bleak field to stall, 
Heaping the snowdrift over the wall, 



126 Misceliatieous. 

Rifling of verdure grass-laden mead, 
Sealing in earth the slumbering seed, 
Hasting the twelvemonth sere to its close, 
Numbing the muse that genially flows. 
Sporting at will with shivering forms. 
Fining with dread at gathering storms. 
Slippery pavements, tottering gait. 
Causing delay, till keen frosts abate. 
Winter enchaining the body and will, 
Swift stream arresting, hushing the mill. 
Heedless of murmurs heard from the poor, 
Hungry and half-clad, found at the door. 
Messenger dread, congealing the breath. 
Curdling the blood, and warning of death — 
Hie thee far hence, thou grim Arctic shade. 
Get thee where sunbeams never pervade. 
Ungracious winter, harsh dost thou seem, 
When disenchanting autumn's soft dream. 
Yet if we judge in kindHer mood, 
Candor reveals a friend true and good ; 
Rough in demeanor, tender in heart. 
Such is the verdict time doth impart. 
Often seems fortune dismal at first. 
Clouds of destruction ready to burst. 
While underlying mercies divine 
Shine Hke the gold relieving the mine ; 
So with thee, winter, deemed most severe, 
Favor diffused, will surely appear. 
Rosy-hued health is borne on thy wing, 
Pestilent fever no more is king ; 



Miscellaneous. 127 

Over the slothful thy bracing sway 

Banishes languor, seizing the day ; 

Home made the stronghold, decked with more 

charms, 
Terrors external wholly disarms ; 
Thine is glad Christmas, yule-logs aglow, 
Evergreens torn from fast clinging snow ; 
And though some mourner drop a sad tear. 
Spirits elate salute thy New Year. 
Thine merry sleigh-bells, rush of gay steed, 
Coasting, lithe skaters graceful in speed; 
Thine the glad moonlight, glittering star, 
Flashing Aurora shooting afar ; 
Pendants adorning roof-top and tree. 
Branches in mail which flash like the sea. 
Hard-favored winter spread like a pall, 
Heaven-favored winter smiling on all. 



LIFE AS IT IS. 

THIS Hfe is but a thing of fears, 
A dream of hopes, of smiles, of tears — 
A blossom which at morning blows, 
A blossom which at evening goes — 
A flower tinged with beauty's blush. 
Which any thoughtless tread may crush ; 
A sky of azure, fair and bright. 
That storm-clouds quick obscure from sight ; 



128 Miscellaneous. 

A moonbeam's evanescent play, 
Which ere the day-dawn speeds away; 
A bubble floating on a lake 
That soon a passing breeze may break ; 
A wave which tosses high and free, 
Then dies upon a tranquil sea. 
Life as it is — a songster proud 
Which leaves its perch to seek the cloud, 
But soon falls low with flutt'ring wing, 
No more to soar, no more to sing. 
Oh, fearful art thou, human hfe. 
Thou fitful thing, thou thing of strife ! 
Why mock us with the promise bright, 
Then leave behind the gloom of night ? 
Not so that Hfe which is to be — 
There no alloy, no mockery. 
No transient smile, no bitter tear. 
No intermingling hope and fear; 
No fading Hght, no short-lived bloom, 
No preparation for the tomb ; 
No palsied joy, no fleeting breath, 
No throbbing pulses, hushed in death ; 
But as the eagle soars from sight. 
And leaves behind each mountain height, 
Ne'er pausing in his upward way. 
While yet remains one golden ray. 
So soars man's spirit, once set free 
In that pure life which is to be. 



Miscellaneous. 129 

IN MEMORY OF THE LATE REV. STEPHEN H. 
TYNG, D. D. 



NOT every hero guards the eternal cause — 
A beacon Hght : 
On Zion's heaven-Ut towers the warders pause,- 
Nay, yield the fight. 



It brightens hope to trace — where softness reigns — 

Unflinching nerve ; 
The vaHant few who offer self, time, pains, 

Their King to serve. 

Ill 

One hence has gone, with iron purpose fraught, 

To speak as told 
From Sinai's mount, or where the Saviour taught 

In words of gold. 

IV 

His matchless trust he did not vend at will — 

A huckster vile — 
To changing markets in celestial wares 

Of any style. 
9 



130 Miscellaneous. 



One central truth enlisted thought and breath, 

'T was Jesus' love; 
Discoursing how it brought up Life from Death, 

He sought to move. 

VI 

Crowds pressed to hear, because he held the Cross 

In open view ; 
Like Paul, he deemed all else on earth but loss — 

Such mind they knew. 

VII 

As shined to Constantine the signal weird 

By which to win. 
There seemed before his daily sight, upreared, 

This cure for sin. 

VIII 

Socratic power informed his ripened speech, 

Instructmg youth ; 
Unmoved by threat or favor, " apt to teach" 

Fair Wisdom's truth. 

IX 

Take heart, ye timid guides, who fear to tell 

The " narrow way " ; 
Let soldiers brave, in Christ who war so well. 

The spirit sway. 



1 



Miscellaneous. 131 



I LOOK BEYOND. 

LOOK beyond this teasing care, 
Which, Hke the stinging pest, 
That will not let me rest, 

Drives reason from her lofty throne. 
Mid hopeless, grim despair. 



I look beyond colossal wrong, 

With shameless Gorgon head, 

A timid nation's dread, 

Which makes an oft-defeated will 
To cringe before the strong. 

•I look beyond the lessening light. 

That surely, slowly fades 

'Mid gathering evening shades. 

While breathings weird from mystic realms 
Reveal 't will soon be night. 

I look beyond the thoughts that craze 

The weakling, finite mind. 

That sees not God behind, — 

Whereby this perfect plan doth seem 
A wildering needless maze. 



Ye troubled children of to-day. 
Whose hearts are in a sphere 



132 Miscellaneous. 

We know must disappear, 

Pause not to dream and moan and pine, 
But look beyond, I say. 



TO BESSIE, MY ELDER DAUGHTER, 

ON HER SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY. 

JUST sweet sixteen — that golden age. 
Enrolled on life's mysterious page, 
When, childhood's hours of sunshine gone, 
Some cherished hopes have with them flown. 
Dear Bessie, 't is a parent's will 
A child thou shouldst continue still ; 
That freshness yet suffuse thy heart. 
And true nobility impart ; 
That guilelessness may never cease. 
But always cause thee inward peace ; 
That youthful trust may gently twine 
Its fadeless wreath of love divine. 
Whose pensive halo on thy brow 
May ever seal the fontal vow ; 
That thou submit to His kind hand 
Who points us to the better land. 
Be simple in thy every aim 
And heed not fashion's hollow claim. 
If others seek in wealth to shine. 
Let household virtues pure be thine. 



Miscellaneous. 133 

Remember, beauty e'en most rare 
Without discretion is a glare, 
And duty should our time employ. 
While pleasure is a wayside toy. 
Obtain the precious wealth of soul 
Whose winning and whose strong control 
Will charm when youth has had its day 
And human graces lose their sway. 
That God may bless thy future years 
And give thee more of smiles than tears, 
And thou at last His joy may share. 
Dear Bessie, is a father's prayer. 



TO SALLIE, MY YOUNGER DAUGHTER, 

ON HER SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY. 

BEYOND the river Acheron, in Greece, it was supposed 
That classic gardens in their bloom the asphodel 
exposed, — 
This faithful flower place near thy heart, which constancy 

will teach; 
Such emblem for thy life on earth — a future life will reach. 

The jassamine, of spotless white, with leaves of brightest 

green, 
Is known, by fragrance sweet exhaled, before its form is 

seen; 



134 Miscellaneous. 

It breathes of kind pervasiveness that fills a loving face ; — 
Let friends at distance know thee near, through pure 
affection's grace. 

The humble broom a monarch plucks to deck his royal 

crest ; 
This modest plant with dignity did valiant knights invest ; 
So let thy unpretending worth suggest a purpose higher, 
To meet the choice of Christ our King, thy first, thy last 

desire. 

BEAUTIFUL HUDSON. 

O BEAUTIFUL Hudson, roll on in thy might. 
So wooingly bathed in the moon's soft'ned light ! 
How fain would I watch from the highlands above 
Each bark on thy breast, like a snowy wing'd dove. 

Most pleasant to ponder the Catskill's repose, 
As deepens the shade at the day's gentle close; 
To linger in summer time near Tappan Zee, 
'Mid song of the wood bird or hum of the bee ! 

O beautiful Hudson, thou stream of my heart. 
Awakening thoughts that can never depart, 
How sweet to recall on the far distant strand. 
Thee, fairest of rivers that grace our free land ! 

Let other bards sing of the beautiful Rhine, 

Whose turret-crowned hills bear resemblance to thine. 



Miscellaneous. i35 

But give me that stream which on Nature alone 
Has builded her claims and estabhshed her throne. 



THE AIR OF SIASCONSET. 

THE air of Siasconset, 
Is fortified with health ; 
'T is full of benediction, 
It yields far more than wealth. 
It turns despondency to joy, 
And man becomes again — a boy. 

It lifts the soul to heaven. 
Whence every good descends, 
It banishes ill feeling, 
The genial mind befriends. 
Malaria — hated poison— flies. 
Its ills to plant 'neath other skies. 

When wearied in the city, 

O'ercome with heat and toil, 

We sigh to tread the paths once more, 

Upon this wave-washed soil, — 

To breathe where Sanketty's head-Hght, 

Dispels the sailors' fears at night. 

The wild rose we would gather. 
That decks Nantucket isle, 



: 3 6 Miscellaneous. 



Would revel in its fragrance, 
And catch again its smile ; — 
Would sip the tonic Neptune gives 
By which the drooping spirit lives. 

Of elements protected, 
From touch of aught unclean ; 
In laboratory faultless. 
Whose workings are unseen — 
Is formed supply of best ozone, 
To wand of science ever known. 

Grotesque is Siasconset, 
With relics strange and old ; 
Yet they who seek to find them, 
Attractions more behold ; 
But chiefly are we bidden there. 
By power embosomed in its air. 



CAST ANCHOR. 

TWO vessels start upon the deep 
To reach a distant shore ; 
'Mid storm- winds rising from their sleep. 
And distant storm-waves roar. 

' Cast anchor," speaks a solemn voice, 
'T is madness to proceed ; 



Miscellaneous. 

One captain makes a fatal choice, 
The other quick takes heed. 

Ere long the wild o'ermastering gale 

Ingulfs a reckless crew ; 
While safely rides a folded sail 

Above the waters blue. 

Two youths start forth upon the tide 

Of life's uncertain sea ; 
' Cast anchor " on the heav'nly side, 

Speaks forth Eternity. 

For one that voice is raised in vain. 
The other marks its notes ; 

A human bark is driven amain, 
Its fellow safely floats. 

Seems all above serene and clear 
. Within this world of ours ? 
Behold yon darkling cloud appear. 
Which o'er the sunshine lowers. 

' Cast anchor, " friend, within the veil. 
And let wild billows beat ; 

They cannot o'er thy faith prevail. 
Disturb thy sure retreat. 



37 



138 Miscellaneous. 

ON HEARING THE EVENING GUN AT 
aUARANTINE, STATEN ISLAND. 

HARK to the sound of the evening gun, 
Proclaiming the work of day is done ; 
Dismissing the sons of toil to rest, 
While drooping the bird now seeks its nest. 

Hark to the sound of the evening gun, 
It speaks of the hour when hearts are won, 
When Cupid shall weave his mystic spell. 
Which on the unending years shall tell. 

Hark to the sound of the evening gun. 
It bids us observe the setting sun, — 
That, with its last ray, the dreams depart. 
Which brightened at morn the sanguine heart. 

Hark to its cheerful tone, "All is well," 
As dying upon the ocean swell ; 
It loudly declares — One never sleeps. 
Who tender and faithful vigil keeps. 

Hark to the sound of the evening gun, 
Reminding of evil we should shun ; 
It asks "Till to-morrow, why delay — 
A summons of duty's voice to-day ? " 



Miscellaiieous. 

Hark to the sound of the evening gun, 
It warns us the race is nearly run, 
It echoes, " The strife will soon be o'er," 
While booming along the distant shore. 



MY FLOWERS. 

A Dying Mother's Request to Her Daughter. 

COME closer to thy mother dear, 
And place thy hand in mine, 
I feel the warning very near 
When earth I must resign. 

One simple charge to thee I make, 

Which charge, if thou obey. 
Content I '11 let the angels take 

My spirit far away. 

The boon I ask is — that these flowers. 

Which, 'mid the wintry gloom, 
As though just washed by summer showers, 

Send forth their sweet perfume. 

May be the objects of thy care, 

As they have been of mine ; 
That thou 'It protect each leaflet rare 

Nor let their beauties pine. 



139 



140 Miscellaneous. 

Observe them e'en as I have done, 

With ever anxious eye, 
Be wary lest a single one 

Untimely droop and die. 

And think not that the boon I crave 

Ill-suited to this hour, — 
That 'mid delirium I rave 

About a transient flower. 

I Ve watched each rosebud slowly ope, 

I 've seen each lily fade, 
With one my soul renewed its hope, 

Which with the last decayed. 

These silent teachers sweetly tell 

The story of Christ's love. 
Vain doubts depart as by a spell, 

Where words could never move. 

Oh, may our Father by such means, 

Exalt thy soul from earth; 
While on His strength thy weakness leans. 

Who gave these flow'rets birth. 



Miscellaneous. 
DEDICATION OF AN ALBUM 

Belonging to a little girl celebrated for her musical talent. 

FAIR child, this world is now but new to thee, 
While hope paints what the coming life may be,- 
But trust not hope, for oft she hath deceived 
The young, who have her promises believed. 
Yet should thy future days be dark or bright, 
Thy wounds a balm may find, thy footsteps light. 
Obey the guidance of our Friend on high, 
Who leads to where the verdant pastures He, 
And thus life's roses shall expand for thee, 
While thou its thorns shall never feel nor see. 
Improve thy gifts and cultivate the heart, 
And blessings shall be thine where'er thou art. 
Thy guardians will approve, esteem will grow, 
The streams of self-respect unceasing flow. 
God grant thee power long to sing and play. 
And chase from many an eye the tear away, 
Till, at the last, a mystic harp be given, 
Whose thrilling tones thy skill shall wake in Heaven. 

THE MAGDALEN'S PRAYER. 

DEAR Saviour fold me in thy love, 
And take me to thy care : 
From intercession's heights above, 
Oh, hear a sinner's prayer ! 



141 



142 Miscellaneous. 

A scornful world derides my tears 
And casts me from its sight; 

Let thy free pardon quench my tears, 
With all-prevaihng might. 

The lab'rer seeks at eve his home, 
With footstep light and free; 

But I from morn to night must roam, 
Bow'd down with misery. 

Alas, a thoughtless hour beguiled 
Amid the paths of shame — 

I deemed him true who falsely smiled, 
To rob me of my name. 

As now I gaze on yonder tide. 
With waters dark and deep — 

My foul disgrace I fain would hide 
In death's oblivious sleep. 

But yet I shudder as the winds 
Seem searching to my heart; — 

A hidden power my purpose binds. 
And from myself I start. 

Dear Saviour, thou dost intervene, 
Restraining my intent — 

Thy watchful mercy now is seen 
This madness to prevent. 



Miscellaneous. 143 



The fallen sister thou didst raise 
And soothe her throbbing breast,- 

And should I fail thy love to praise, 
And on thy word to rest ? 

Then, Jesus, fold me in that love, 
And take me to thy care ; 

From intercession's heights above 
Oh, hear a sinner's prayer ! 



PARTING HYMN AT THE VAN NORMAN 
INSTITUTE. 

Written for the Class of 1879. 

MINGLED emotions, engaging the heart, 
Sadly remind us that classmates must part ; 
Leaving the dreamland of girlhood's fresh life, 
Seeking the upland in earth's fitful strife. 

Lasting are ties which so tenderly bind, 
Comrades engrossed in the treasures of mind; — 
While union, springing from fancy, must wane. 
Ours deeply rooted will ever remain. 

May the good seed with such carefulness sown, 
Yield when the days of our youth have long flown ; 
In the hereafter, when mortals are free, 
Glorious fruitage may all of us see. 



144 Miscellaneous. 

Teachers so patient and schoolmates so dear, 
Mem'ry will hallow through each changing year. 
Ever be vivid those fast speeding hours, 
Which we have shared amid learning's fair bowers. 

Blessings for all who, assembled to-day, 
Wish us God-speed on the uncertain way; 
May they with reverence always thus prize 
Knowledge, that legacy sent from the skies. 

Help us, kind Father, our duty to know, 
Led by Thy hand, — in its path may we go; 
Feeling that guidance, protection and love, 
Never will fail where our aim is above. 



ATHEISM. 

WE here were placed to perish like the brute. 
Though sorrow has our portion been, 
And hope has ne'er fruition seen, — 
Forever must the lips in death be mute. 

The invalid with languid pulse and eye, 
The laborer bending 'neath his care, 
Who must his daily burdens bear. 

Sees at the end no prospect but — to die. 



Miscellaneous. 145 

He, long immured from light, with clanking chain, 

The man of every friend bereft. 

Without a face of kindred left. 
Must look beyond conjecture's mists, — in vain. 

As they who cast their nets and nothing found, 
When gloom of night did long invest, 
And weary limbs obtained no rest. 

Are we with life-work buried in the ground. 

No promise comes the final hour to cheer. 
When racking pains disturbed repose. 
And weeping friends predict the close. 

And next await the knell, the shroud, the bier. 

Such cheerless view, perverted science takes; 

She tells us, this poor life is all, 

The future hiding with a pall, 
That, when man dies, he never more awakes. 

Assumption most fallacious, most unwise. 
It makes Creation but a joke. 
And Providence dissolves in smoke ; 

Our planet seems a mere balloon that flies. 

No stimulus exists for hero's deeds, 

For truth's advance, mind's higher play, — 
But honors merely of a day. 

While partially are given this world's meeds. 
10 



:^6 Miscellaneous. 

Much we prefer to place before such dross, 
Some signal of a land in store, 
Some sunbeam from the Evermore, 

Some vision of the all-prevailing Cross. 

To lift the soul, so oft obscured by tears. 
To give a purpose and an aim, 
For love disclosed to each the same ; — 

We need some Revelation through the years. 

And when, at last, in Time's relentless date. 
We reach the problem of the sod, 
'T were well to feel " there is a God," 

And yield to Him the spirit and its fate. 



ON SEEING A PICTURE OF HOMEWARD 
LABORERS AT PRAYER. 

DEVOTION'S hour is drawing near, 
Yon little chapel lifts its spire ; 
All work is o'er and now appear 
Those seeking home in soiled attire. 

As slow the evening shadows fall 
And mellowed beauty fills the sky, 

A heavenly hght descends on all, 
Who grateful kneel to One on high. 



Miscellaneous. 147 

God bless the workmen of our land, 
And make them cheerful 'mid their lot ; 

And may a smiling Christian band 
Be found in every humble cot. 

THE WINDS. 

YE winds speak a language consoling or sad, 
As trifling through arbors, or seemingly mad; 
While cooling this evening my o'erheated brow. 
Ye tell of some streamlet with cadences low. 
Like dirges ye sound from the old Abbey walls, 
Or castle historic with desolate halls. 
When shrieking at midnight, with terror ye fill, 
As though ye w^re laden with tidings of ill. 
Ye storm-winds that dismally howl o'er the deep, 
Seem mourning for loved ones the loving must weep. 
Ye mutter, O north winds, of ice-fettered lands, 
Restraining the frolicsome wave with your bands. 
As death puts to silence a child's harmless glee 
Ere echo respond to its laughter so free. 
Yet kind are your words to the heat-stricken soil, 
Dispelling the languor from wearisome toil. 
Ah, welcome Zephyrus, from yon favored clime 
Where Poesie's triumphs mock old Father Time, 
While chilled are our spirits by pitiless frost. 
Proclaim to us visions of lovehness lost. 
When erst to Eolus Ulysses had come, 
By thee was he gently brought back to his throne; 



148 Miscellaneous. 

So summon the Ithaca fair that we knew, 

Ere faded the scenes of our childhood from view : 

Let tones early treasured again greet the ear, 

Oft lending a smile which would vanquish a tear. 

Let once more the mocking-bird thrill with his lay, 

Reminding of happiness, not long to stay, 

The oriole bring with its beautiful hue, 

Which glows like the heart of a Southerner true. 

Inviting the stranger to tarry and share 

His board, though supplied with the commonest fare. 

The voice of the south wind speaks peace to my soul, 

A life, I disclose not, its accents control. 

With kindness that leads me to more pensive hours, 

When soothingly floating 'mid gardens of flowers. 

It sweetly retraces fresh days that were mine, 

Where grow the magnolia, the orange and vine. 



ON PRESENTING A FLORAL HORSESHOE 
TO A BRIDE. 

GOOD luck be thine,— 
May love entwine 
Its garlands for thy life ; 
May iron heel 
Ne'er crush thy weal. 
In guise of wedded strife. 



Miscellaneous. 149 

As fades each flower 

In every bower, 
So beauty droops its head ; — 

'Neath love's control, 

Peace fills the soul 
When youthful charms have fled. 



NEVER DESPAIR. 

NEVER despair, if afar, unalluring, 
The heights to be scaled ere the shadows descend ; 
Let courage be instant, thy footstep assuring, 

While hope, the kind handmaiden, smiles to befriend. 

Never despair, if when livelihood seeking, 
Or honest repute in profession or trade, 

Misfortune with direful purposes reeking, 

Thy Hfe-earnings scatter, thy just aims invade. 

Never despair, if when bravely contending 
For freedom, for all that is dear to the soul, 

O'ercome is the castle of truth while defending, 
The cohorts of Behal wresting control. 

Never despair, if the church or the nation 
Surrender to ignorance, interest or fear, 

If progress expire in a wide desolation 

And Dagon and Bel in each temple appear. 



150 Miscellaneous. 

Never despair, if thy good should be doubted, 
Thy toil for the welfare of others be blamed. 

Thy efforts for conscience be sneeringly scouted, 
And selfish, deceitful, thy mission be named. 

Never despair, if the blight of some illness 
Should wither the dreamland of unfading joy. 

If pain, never ceasing, monotonous stillness, 

Through wearisome watchings thy peace should 
destroy. 

Never despair, if thy pulse be declining, 
The sands of existence fast passing away. 

When, too late, the season for useless repining. 
The spirit is leaving its prison of clay. 

Never despair, if thy burden seem greater 
Than man can endure in his sensitive mold. 

And take not, but cherish that life the Creator 
Bestowed for some end His wise counsels enfold. 

Comfort descends from hope's fetterless regions, 
From martyrs in glory through echoing air. 

Attested by throngs of beatified legions — 

To fainting hearts whispering — Never despair. 



MisceUa7ieous. 151 



ON THE NEW VERSION OF THE SCRIPTURES. 

OH, give me back the old words, 
The words to memory dear, 
I do not Hke the new words. 

They harshly greet the ear ; 
I love the words my mother taught. 

In voice of mildest tone. 
As borne by swift- winged seraphs. 
They went up to the throne. 

Oh, give me back the old words. 

In school-room heard of yore. 
Before instruction's round began 

In varied tasks of lore ; — 
A solace when the book was read 

Within the house of prayer, 
When pointed out the strait gate. 

And shown each sinful snare. 

Oh, give me back the old words 

Oft uttered on the wave. 
When, 'mid the storm's commotion, 

I felt but One could save ; 
My eyelids could not close at night 

Without both shame and fear. 
Unless I read those verses, 

Profound and yet so clear. 



152 Miscellaneous. 

Oh, give me back the loved words, 

Which soothed the aching brow, 
When all of earth's prescriptions 

No heahng could bestow ; 
Upon the weary couch they cheered 

When filled with racking pain ; 
'Mid cruel disappointment. 

When life seemed dark and vain. 

Ere dust to dust be spoken 

Above the gloomy sod, 
And upward soars my spirit. 

To reach the realms of God ; 
I do not wish a different phrase, 

From that oft heard before. 
As through the aisle so hallowed 

Some cherished form they bore. 

If creed be known through language. 

And who can say 't is not. 
Then should those well-known symbols 

Forever be forgot ? 
They still convey the buoyant thought 

Of angels near the throne. 
The light to mortals given, 

Oppressed, o'ercome, alone. 

It may be that the new words 
Can please the scholar-mind, 



Miscellaneous. 

But in the old revered ones 
The saving truth I find. 

For me their simple Saxon ring, 
Their quaint and homely power, 

Exceed by far in sweetness, 
This fashion of the hour. 



NO NORTH, NO SOUTH. 

FROM loving lakes that seaward flow 
To golden mines of Mexico, 
From Eastern mart to Western coast 
'T is now a freeman's honest boast — 

No North, no South. 

The wounds are healed that brothers made 
From Maine to tropic everglade ; 
All cold suspicions now have fled, 
Are with vindictive embers dead. 

No North, no South. 

The chain in which the slave was bound 
Clanks not with harsh unchristian sound ; 
False zeal provoking latent strife 
No longer seeks to jeopard life. 

No North, no South. 

A heavenly voice has hushed to peace 
Where warring words might never cease, 



53 



154 



Miscellaneous. 

By raising those within our land 
Long years restrained through party's band. 
No North, no South. 

God keeps His children low in dust, 
To purge away their cankering lust, — 
Then kindly hfts to joy again 
When wrong succumbs to healthful pain. 
No North, no South. 

Avaunt ye lingering ghouls of hate. 
Be emulous to raise the State ; 
Revive not more the checkered past. 
On Lethe's wave dead issues cast. 

No North, no South. 

An hundred years have fled away. 
The Country stronger day by day, 
For 't is not man that gives us life. 
But One who stills convulsive' strife. 

No North, no South. 

And speed the cry — no East, no West, — 
No foreign sway — nor worst nor best — 
With specious wiles shall clog the stream 
Of progress towards the Nation's dream. 
No North, no South. 



Miscellaneous. 



REFINEMENT. 

FROM God is given a human frame 
To intellect allied, — 
And means by which to mold the same, 

His providence supplied. 
He chief performs creation's will 

Who treats his gifts aright, 
Who makes them all their parts fulfill 

Till growing to their height. 
When stern utility has wrought. 

Refinement claims a place, 
And ceaseless toils till powers are fraught, 

With skillfulness and grace. 
Thus man Hke some strong building seems, 

Enduring and adorned. 
Or like a beauteous ship whose beams 

And hull for strength are formed. 
Or like some landscape bold and smooth. 

With rock and lake and sky, 
Which speaking use and beauty soothe 

And gratify the eye : 
He needs not wealth to give him place. 

Or favor of the great : 
He shines an honor to his race. 

With neither gold nor state. 



155 



156 Miscellaneous, 

EASTER CAROL. 



BEAUTEOUS Easter morn, 
Roseate beam of love, 
Brighten, bless, adorn, 

Smile from realms above. 
Modest opening flower, 

Fragrant greet the sky ; 
Lift us by thy power. 
Vows ascending high ! 

CHORUS. 

Beauteous Easter morn, 
Roseate beam of love, 

Brighten, bless, adorn, 
Smile from realms above. 



Grant relief to care, 

Cause alarms to cease, 
Broken lives repair. 

Paint the bow of peace. 
Let each bond be rent, 

Envy bid depart. 
Give the poor content. 

Move the churlish heart. 



Miscellaneous. 157 

III 
Shine 'mid household gloom 

Ne'er dispelled before, 
Let Emmanuel's bloom 

Crown each pagan shore : 
Till forgiving ray 

Gleam above the rod, 
Roll each stone away, 

Keeping souls from God. 



MY WORLD WITHIN. 

I HAVE a little world I call my own, 
No life of commonplace can claim its throne. 
Far, far aloof from ponderous thought or care ; 
This calm retreat an angel e'en might share ; 
Perchance 't is found while floating o'er the sea, 
Where dancing waves are tossing proud and free ; 
Or else 't is knowm when I, with book in hand. 
Am pensive strolling o'er the pebbly sand. 
No place, no occupation may conceal 
Enjoyment which its treasured haunts reveal. 
Such pleasant refuge is within my mind, 
And there alone this little world I find. 
Its walks serene, no poverty may reach, 
No sheriff's summons cause the slightest breach ; 
The breath of scandal or the sneer of fools. 
The plots of knav'ry with its shuffling tools, — 



158 Miscellaneous. 

A rival's envy or the rich man's gold 

Their power to injure here no longer hold. 

Far sooner may you scale the azure sky 

Than touch this home from which all shadows fly. 



CLOUDS. 

HOW gently they float on the still twilight air, 
In forms most mysterious, varied and rare ; 
Now draped in vermihon or dappled in gold, 
They seem all emblazoned with riches untold. 
At midday how fleecily sail they above. 
Like good angels watching in silence and love. 
How densely they hover enshrouding the steep, 
As tempests arise in their furious sweep ; 
And when the deep thunderings cease to dismay, 
How quickly they break 'neath the gladdening ray. 
This world is a radiant world to our sight ; 
Still, many a jetty cloud shuts out its light, 
But glories will deck e'en the shadows most drear. 
And make God's inscrutable providence clear; 
And when towards life's evening the sun sinks to rest, 
A bow will illumine the beautiful west. 



Miscellaneous. 159 

LIVE IT DOWN. 

HAS a foolish word been spoken, 
Or an evil deed been done ; 
Has the heart been almost broken, 

For the friends that now disown ? 
Let not coldness or the frown, 
Shake thy manhood — live it down. 

Is the stern traducer sneering, 

Thrusting innuendo vile, 
With the world's opinion veering. 

Basking in its fickle smile ? 
What are gossips with their frown ? 
Buzzing insects — live it down. 

Verdict fairer will be given. 

In the sober afterthought ; 
Charity, sweet child of Heaven, 

Judgment harsh will set at naught ; 
Then will grieved Mercy's frown 
Smite the slanderer — live it down. 

But if man refuse to soften, 

For that weakness he may feel, 
There is One forgives us often. 

As to Him we- choose to kneel ; 
Droop not then whoe'er may frown ; 
With such friendship — Hve it down. 



i6o Miscellaneous. 



STANLEY'S MARCH. 

THE muse that lifts immortal strain to pure emprise 
and manly 
Across the wave a tribute sends to note thy genius, 

Stanley ! 
As history will grave thy name with those that never 

perish, 
So poesy reserves her right thy signal deeds to cherish. 



The press fulfilled its mission high when choosing thee to 

banish 
The shades enshrouding Afric's waste which at thy spell 

must vanish. 
To ope the way for Christian light, revealing civic power, 
To plant upon the serpent's head the heel, is now thy 

dower. 



The mantle of a Livingstone, that master, is upon thee. 
Reconsecrated for thy work, his spirit grand hath won 

thee. 
Increasing motive presses close to make thy purpose 

stronger, 
Till thou to meet thy life's intent canst seek the goal no 

longer. 



Miscellaneous. 



[6i 



Bold Stanley, on — complete the task defined by One 

above thee, 
Of science thou hast fondest wish, the prayers of those 

that love thee. 
Whatever be the coronal from earth's award receiving, 
Thy sense of aid from God's right arm a deathless crown 

is weaving. 







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